Fans Have Their Say About Unfavorable Bocelli Review

Letters. . .we get letters.

Actually, most of the 150-plus reader responses we've received after last Friday's unfavorable review of the tenor Andrea Bocelli came via e-mail - proof that we are living in a wired society. The messages also are proof that Bocelli fans are wired, in another sense: furious at the perceived attack on their favorite singer, and ready to bite back.

It's only fair to give the fans their say. Some of them were fine people who wrote well-reasoned critiques, and some of them just vented. There even were some positive responses, about 15 of them, from people who agreed with the review. One paradox, however, still worries me: Among fans who consistently cite the profound spiritual communication they feel from a singer who is often described as occupying a higher plane of goodness and innocence, the mail is by far the nastiest of anything I've received in nearly 25 years as a reviewer.

I'm looking on the brighter side, however. No death threats - at least not yet. And at least five respondents claimed that I must be young and inexperienced. Those of us who are firmly wedged into middle age always appreciate allegations of youth.

Here goes.

"Just two words! EMIGRATE NOW! Don't forget to take a good supply of PREMARIN with you for the permanent case of PMS you have. 11,000 ecstatic fans and one LOUSY CRITIC!"

"Pphhhhhhttttttt to you and the review you rode in on!!!!!"

"Contrary to the opera critics around here - whose sniveling may have cost Seattle a return trip by Bocelli - Bocelli has established his credibility as a purveyor of operatic song."

"You must be either an overzealous egotist or a full-fledged masochist to have put your e-mail address in the body of your review of Andrea Bocelli's concert in Friday's Times."

"Your review was very cynical about the love some of us have for Bocelli's voice as well as his emotion, gentleness, his humility, shyness, and love for the music - not to mention his good looks."

"His voice is pure and natural, one of soul and great depth that comes from a broad life experience. Mr. Bocelli's concert was superb, and I would gladly dish out the hundreds of dollars I spent again."

"Did you not like the performance because you are a purist, one who discriminates or is jealous of those who are multi-talented and choose to sing cross-over music? Come on. . . he is only singing, not solving world crises."

"Once again the lack of experience and international good taste has reared its ugly head, via your review of Andrea Bocelli and company, to thoroughly embarrass the city of Seattle. As we sat in the KeyArena last evening enjoying every moment, I couldn't help but think at least once that this might occur. Shame on you and your editors. You might be better qualified to review a Meat Loaf concert."

"My mother-in-law was there and said it was the best concert she has ever attended in her life. She's 75 and has been to more than a few."

"HOGWASH!!!!!!!!!! Lighten up and enjoy what life has to offer without being so pompous!!!!!!!!!!!!

"I hope you get 11,000 of these messages!

"Who cares WHAT you think?

"What concert did you attend? 11,000 people listened in awe and felt every penny spent was rewarded with magic."

"The fact that Bocelli appeals to the masses should excite you and encourage you to nurture the interest some people are just beginning to realize in opera. How dare you put yourself on a pedestal above all others by criticizing the expectations that other people have."

"Didn't your mother ever tell you that if you can't say something nice, don't!"

"What planet are you living on??? I think you need to step down off of your operatic high horse and join the rest of humanity. Speaking from the perspective of someone who was not raised on opera (I would imagine I am in the majority), Andrea Bocelli has the voice of an angel."

"So you didn't think much of Andrea Bocelli's concert, and don't seem to be a fan of his . . . nor do you like opera. Frankly, I pay little or no attention to the likes of you, but since I am a Bocelli fan, I wanted to read about his concert. I am totally ashamed of your article in today's Times, and you should be, too! Get a life, Melinda! (I doubt if you have the courage to print this.)"

"You didn't hear Andrea singing to the angels, and so touching our spirits."

"Perhaps you are too young to have a sense of the history of opera. . . music of the people. . . . grand, exaggerations of the passions of life."

"As the `Gipper' once said in his presidential debate, `There you go again,' Melinda! By referring to the Andrea Bocelli concert and his fans (worldwide fans) as a phenomenon, you only prove that you simply don't get it. Can we have a concert reviewer over the age of 40, please? Let me guess. . . You're 32. Maybe younger!"

- Melinda Bargreen Seattle Times music critic