Bocelli Fans Focus On the Voice, Not the Stage Presence

Thank you, Mark Swed, for pointing out all the shortcomings of Andrea Bocelli (“Gifted but Terribly Conflicted,” April 16). I was always taught that if you didn’t have anything good to say about someone, then you didn’t say anything. But I realize that you must justify your position as music critic for The Times.

I bought tickets to the concert because I wanted to hear one of the great voices of our time. It did not matter to me whether he had stage presence or even talked to the audience. What I heard was a soft, shy, gentle man who overcame a difficult handicap and stepped forward to share his gift with all of us. I left the concert totally fulfilled and glad I had spent the money.

Your review missed the whole purpose of what this man is about. If anything is conflicted, it’s your review.

RICHARD ROLETTA

Marina del Rey

*

Only classical snobs resent the fact that today’s opera stars bring good music down to the masses. Yes, maybe the classical part gets a little bit diluted in sports arena concerts, but the benefits of a broader audience recognizing famous arias far outweigh the damage done.

And speaking of egos, Swed must be a true egomaniac if he needs to criticize a blind singer for not being more vivacious on stage. We were so bored with Bocelli’s stage persona that we felt like stopping at the Arrowhead Pond on the way back from San Diego [to] suffer through another performance--unfortunately, it was sold out.

MARION ERBE

Simi Valley

*

May I offer one simple suggestion to Mark Swed: In the future, confine your efforts, such as they are, to music criticism and leave the sophomoric psychoanalyzing to the professional therapists, whose services you so clearly are in such dire need of.

PEGGY FU

San Juan Capistrano

*

Swed writes about Bocelli’s physical disabilities. He should be writing about his own: He needs a new brain.

JOSE COUSELO

Cathedral City