HATS OFF

Gee, thanks for that revealing look at your critics’ tastes (“Stepping Out of Character,” July 5). What a shock to find that in their unguarded moments, these people are ordinary folk who like junk TV and bad music, just like the rest of us. Maybe they’re not as haughty and contemptuous as they seem, after all! Yeah. Their unguarded observations are about as candid as what I write on my resume. Calculated to please.

Who are you kidding? When it came time to “Please turn to Page . . .” for each of them, I was too bored to bother. I get more candor from my congressmen.

DAVE YOUNKER

Lake Forest

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It is an injustice to the proven talents of singers/songwriters/musicians Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan and Ani DiFranco, that critic Laurie Winer refers to them as part of “the current batch of babe singers” where “it’s just too soon to tell.”

Unlike the other novelty acts she groups them with (such as Jewel, Alanis Morissette and Fiona Apple), Amos, McLachlan and DiFranco are established artists who, since the early ‘90s, have released a minimum of four albums each, received extensive critical praise, established devoted followings, and sold millions--not to mention, influenced and led the way for today’s “babe singers.”

Too soon to tell? Maybe Winer just hasn’t been listening hard enough.

POLLY WALTER

Los Angeles

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Kenneth Turan was correct in his inference that many grow into opera gradually. I’d add a cross-section of melodious Verdi, Puccini, Bellini, Donizetti, etc., would be great starters for the incipient opera lover. Am most happy that Turan caught up with the sweep and true grandeur of grand opera and the complete musical spectrum it represents.

FRANK R. WYNNE

Los Alamitos

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“Nessum dorma”? Perhaps Kemmeth Turan is still too full of “Titamic” bile.

HARRY PARKER

Venice