John McCormack

It was sad in a way to read (April 21) that Runyon Canyon had once been owned by someone described only as “an Irish opera singer.” Those of us who remember him and treasure his recordings would prefer to have read that the property belonged to “the great Irish tenor John McCormack,” who built a home there (which he called San Patrizio after Ireland’s patron saint) as a place of respite for his family from the demands of his worldwide fame.

Trudging around the canyon a few years ago on the paths McCormack walked; viewing the tennis court where he played; standing within the foundation--all that remains--of San Patrizio where he rehearsed the songs he would sing around the world, it was hard not to imagine hearing the ghost of his voice still floating on the canyon’s breezes.

It is heartening to know that, thanks to the action of the Los Angeles City Planning Commission, Runyon Canyon will remain as John McCormack knew it.

WALTER J. KELLY

Glendale