Opera in L.A.

Mark Swed’s May 21 articles on Peter Hemmings and Los Angeles Opera provided well-merited coverage of a man and an institution that have changed the cultural landscape of Southern California.

One aspect that Swed touched on but did not praise sufficiently is the company’s commitment to developing young local artists. This is a mission Los Angeles Opera shares with the Opera Buffs Inc., which provides scholarships and performance opportunity to young singers in Southern California.

Swed suggests that other companies have “stronger personalities” than Los Angeles Opera. Perhaps it is this commitment to the abundant pool of vocal talent here that over time will give the Los Angeles Opera its character. For this also we should thank Peter Hemmings.

DAVID ALAN GIBB

President, the Opera Buffs Inc.

Los Angeles

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Considering the nature of opera, which can be capricious, irrational, intoxicating, irresponsible, overwhelming, sensuous, extravagant to a fault, among other qualities, I find it amazing that Los Angeles Opera, under the steady hand of Peter Hemmings, would become an institution of stability and hope in the very tumultuous years of Los Angeles since the company’s inception.

I think that many of the great cities of the world demonstrate their maturity and sensibilities through their opera houses. Los Angeles, through Los Angeles Opera, is getting to join those ranks.

MATTHEW HETZ

Los Angeles