Enjoying Norrington

I cannot ignore Daniel Cariaga’s childish vendetta against Roger Norrington any longer (“Norrington Offers Beethoven, Sans Spark, at the Bowl,” July 11). Cariaga continues to go way out of his way to ridicule the British conductor (and, by extension, the many people who enjoy Norrington).

A music reviewer does need to probe the good and bad of the craft in question, but Cariaga’s particular brand of zealous character assassination and uninformed criticisms are not in your paper’s interest.

TODD MASON

Mar Vista

How refreshing it was to be present at a performance of the L.A. Philharmonic under the direction of Sir Roger Norrington, which matched the intellectual stamina of Beethoven’s Seventh with rare energy, pace and discipline to the obvious delight of an audience who for once were not patronized by a vulgar display of histrionics.

But you can’t please everyone, and Daniel Cariaga was obviously very upset by this departure from convention. Never mind, I’m sure things at the Bowl will soon be back to normal.

DONALD LANGDON

Los Angeles