Singing LBO’s Praises

Eight years ago I didn’t like opera and had no interest in ever going to one. Then one day I read Martin Bernheimer’s unusually glowing review of Long Beach Opera’s production of “The Coronation of Poppea” by early Baroque composer Monteverdi. Out of curiosity I went and thoroughly enjoyed nearly 3 1/2 hours of opera that might have taxed any serious opera lover had it not been presented by this company. Since then I have attended almost every production by LBO.

Long Beach’s penchant for doing obscure works might intimidate the neophyte (“Ambition on a Shoestring,” by Jan Breslauer, Feb. 7), but with highly original stagings and the use of the intimate Center Theater, one never feels out of place regardless of operatic experience. While not all performances are masterpieces, there are almost no dull moments. Certainly, all preconceptions I had of opera have been dispelled.

I hope that General Director Michael Milenski can continue to do what he has done so well in Long Beach despite financial problems. If the people of Southern California ever knew what they were missing, there would never be an empty seat.

ALAN R. COLES

Long Beach