Right about Bright

I was most appreciative of the substantial article on the preparation for the premiere of Bright Sheng’s opera on the life of Madame Mao in Santa Fe (“Taking a Musical Career Risk Into Thin Air,” by Diane Haithman, July 20). You absolutely captured Bright’s brilliance, energy and compelling personality. He is undoubtedly one of his generation’s most outstanding composers.

As executive director of a symphony orchestra in New Jersey in 1990, I had the privilege of working with Bright in the performance of two of his works a few days after Leonard Bernstein died -- “H’un (Lacerations): In Memoriam 1966-1976” and the New York premiere of “Arias and Barcarolles.”

Two years ago, Bright worked with the New West Symphony, where I am now executive director, in its Musics Alive! series. There is no better example of East-West fusion than his remarkable and beautiful compositions.

Kenneth W. Hopper

Simi Valley