THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 14, 1996 TAG: 9602140002
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
Having read ``Success breeds success'' (editorial, Jan. 20) regarding the spectacular run of ``The Phantom of the Opera,'' I am awash in frustration.
I, too, saw and enjoyed this musical hit and relish its support by our community. However, we have in our midst a permanent entertainment forum to rival, or exceed, ``Phantom'' - our own Virginia Opera.
Virginia Opera's sets, costumes and special effects are dazzling; its beautifully trained opera voices bring chills to its audiences; its plots intrigue. We weep, laugh and are transported by this synthesis of the arts.
What is it that precludes 116,170 from flocking to the Harrison Opera House? Misconceptions about opera abound, but help is at hand. The more one knows about opera, the more one can enjoy this unique musical theater.
Virginia Opera docents (I am one) welcome the public to have opera demystified by attending opera-house and backstage tours. Talks on ``What is opera?'' may be scheduled as well. For those groups that cannot come to us, we will bring our traveling trunk show, which explains opera production, to them.
We would love it if Hampton Roads overwhelmed us, and opera will overwhelm Hampton Roads.
JULIA STEVENS
Norfolk, Jan. 22, 1996 by CNB