That’s Bosnia? Boo!

Mark Swed, in his review of “Il Trovatore” (“Frantic, Fiery, Over-the-Top ‘Trovatore,’ ” April 28), invites those who attended the first performance of Los Angeles Opera’s production of this opera and who booed to explain why they booed both the conductor and orchestra. He misunderstood entirely both the performance and the reaction.

The boos were not for Gabriele Ferro and his orchestra, which were the very best thing about the performance. The boos were principally for Steven Lawless, the “director,” and his designers, who produced a visually dreadful and distracting performance. Whether the intent was to conjure up Bosnia is irrelevant. “Trovatore” is about beautiful singing and about personal tragedy and fate.

This performance failed on all counts. “Trovatore,” as famously described by Caruso, only requires the four greatest singers alive. None was present.

Severe disappointment was the reason for the boos.

KENNETH E. OWEN

Los Angeles

*

Maestro Ferro guided the phenomenal cast and orchestra with Italian bravado, as he did with “L’Elisir d’Amore” two seasons ago. The only boos we heard from orchestra Row N Saturday night were for the production’s stage, design and choreography directors.

CARMELA CASTAGNOLA

San Pedro

*

I never thought I would miss Martin Bernheimer’s reviews, but after reading Swed’s review of Saturday’s performance of “Il Trovatore,” I do.

PATRICK PASCAL

Los Angeles