THE KIROV CORPS

Pity that people won’t see that a critic’s job is to criticize as he sees it , regardless of the criticizee (Calendar Letters, June 1).

The Kirov may be the best classical ballet company in the world, but it ain’t, unlike me and Martin Bernheimer, perfect.

Many of the principal dancers, especially in “Swan Lake,” were not Kirov quality. The real star, consistently, is that amazing corps.

Additionally, the 6,600 people who sardined themselves into that acoustically horrendous barn most definitely are incredibly “clap-happy.” They ruin continuity continuously and do not appear to be terribly discriminating.

ARTHUR L. FINN

Beverly Hills