Opening Night Sound Bites

Thanks to Mark Swed for his coverage of the gala opening concert of the L.A. Philharmonic (“A New Season, a New Era,” Oct. 19). He told us all about society’s patronage, reminded us of the difference of opinion between Ernest Fleischmann and Andre Previn and gave us a psychological profile of Kathleen Battle. Somehow he omitted the dinner menu. What about the music?

DONALD CUMMINGS

Sherman Oaks

*

Swed’s review was too subjective. I wanted to know what he thought of the performance. Any thoughts were practically wiped out by the dissertation on Battle’s personality.

I was at the performance with five other friends and all of us enjoyed ourselves tremendously. Bravo to opening night!

Also, the L.A. premiere of “Honey and Rue” was four years ago. To be exact, May 15, 1993, Royce Hall, UCLA. I was there.

SAUNDRA W. FARMER

Hawthorne