State of Opera

Kenneth Herman raises a legitimate question about the lack of venturesomeness in San Diego Opera’s repertory (Sept. 5). But he ignores the obvious reason why--the extreme lack of sophistication of a large share of the local audience, which regard opera not as art but as entertainment. This audience tends to dislike “seriousness” almost as much as dissonance, and most contemporary composers are quite serious.

Ian Campbell has worked miracles in presenting remarkably good performances of standard works, at prices affordable to the public, in a severely constrained situation. We cannot afford to lose him.

FRED MATTHEWS, San Diego