Editor:

I am writing in response to several recent letters (Wintroub, Jan. 29 and Gonzales, Jan. 31) regarding Robert Breckenridge's music reviews of Thursday, January 25.

As these letters imply, thanks to Mr. Breckenridge, many talented musical acts are now likely to be hesitant about performing in Tucson, lest the mighty pen of Mr. Breckenridge strike them down. Thank goodness he didn't review the Broadway production "Ca ts" when that musical came to town. If he starts reviewing other first-rate acts, we might eventually be completely deprived of capitalistic culture here in the Old Pueblo.

And sure, Mr. Breckenridge is allowed to make his opinions known, but Robert, you need to learn how to read what the masses think. As Gonzales correctly points out, "music is for the masses," not just you. If you cannot adequately gauge the heartbeat of America, please do not bother picking up a pen. Your small-minded attitude just ruins things for the rest of us who have different opinions on issues. In summary, both letters seem to be making the same, important, humanistic point: if you can't say anyt hing nice, then please don't say anything at all. Words Mr. Breckenridge should perhaps heed. Actually, I think Mr. Breckenridge's comments display an almost pathological cynicism. What's next Breckenridge, yelling "FIRE!" in a crowded movie house, and t hen watching all of us poor mice scurry out of the building with terror in our eyes?

Thomas Rotolo
University of Arizona alumni