A 'Carmen' to remember

In regard to critic Andrew Druckenbrod's review of Pittsburgh Opera's production of "Carmen" (March 22): Few of us who saw this current performance are as knowledgeable as Mr. Druckenbrod. What we did see was, to almost every one there, one of the most enjoyable performances ever in Pittsburgh -- and certainly the best of the ever-popular (and my favorite), "Carmen."

It would seem fair for Mr. Druckenbrod to have mentioned that this performance received the longest standing ovation of any opera in the many years of our attendance. Those we spoke to were especially thrilled with the large cast, costumes, sets, singers and orchestra.

Bravo to Pittsburgh Opera, this performance and, certainly, Georges Bizet.

Sol W. Toder
Mt. Lebanon

Blame the artist, not the critic

I did not attend the Eric Clapton concert, but when I read the letter from Ed Beatty (Feedback, March 18) blaming the PG article by Scott Mervis before the show for a less than spectacular performance, I had to write. This is ridiculous. Eric Clapton is a seasoned performer, right?

To be in that type of business, you need to on top of your game every time you perform. This is what performers do, if they are talented and love their work. Locally, Billy Price is an example. Every performance, he is out there giving it his all, regardless of the number of fans, or pay. He loves what he does, and it shows.

Sorry, Ed, but don't blame the PG if the show was not up to par.

Carol Steytler
Mt. Lebanon

Planetary crossover

As I get older, it takes a lot for me to go to any concert. It is expensive, and the crowds can be annoying, so when I do go, it is a special occasion for me.

A friend called and had tickets to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's "The Planets" program two weeks ago, one of my very favorites, so I was certainly excited to go, and the symphony crowd is always well behaved.

Now, I classify myself as an old rocker, with my musical beginnings listening to the college radio station in Granville, Ohio, in the early '70s -- my dad listened to its blues shows while I heard a huge variety of music. That was my first tie into classical music. Emerson, Lake & Palmer had an album called "Pictures at an Exhibition." The band's progressive-rock version of the symphony got me to the library, and I listened to the traditional piece. That along with "A Clockwork Orange" is where I credit my love of classical music.

Fast forward to that night at Heinz Hall, as everyone is a bit proper in the place, I was happy to see the bass players bopping their heads to the music -- my gestures exactly. It was nice to see them "getting down" as much as can be expected in their tuxedos!

I thank that college radio station for connecting many musical crossovers and digging deeper. I hope it continues for other generations so the links to many musical genres are heard.

Bonny Diver
Avalon

Critics Andrew Druckenbrod and Scott Mervis talk about music on "The Beat," available exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.