Steve Schwartz writes: >I've seen concert-goers walk out on Nielsen, early Stravinsky, Mahler, >Vaughan Williams, Bernstein, Shostakovich, and Beethoven. I've seen >concert-goers walk out in droves before the music was even played, simply >because they didn't recognize the name on the program. Quick anecdote: Last summer at the Santa Fe Opera I attended the American premiere of Lidholm's "A Dream Play". Now I am a modern CM fan so my tolerance is higher than most, and the opera WAS a bit surreal and dissonant. But I found it delightful and (relatively) accessable (compared to say, Lutoslawski or something). But almost half the audience left at the intermission. I was astounded! Hagegard & McNair were the leads, the sound was great, something brand-spanking new, and the place was half-deserted by halftime. It was even in English! Lidholm himself was there, and I felt a bit embarrassed about American CM audiences. Why bring your new opera to Santa Fe if the ignorant audience won't appreciate it anyway? How frustrating. Bob K.