Anti-Semitism

Re “City leaders to launch grand-scale arts festival,” Nov. 3

By launching an arts festival inspired by Richard Wagner’s “Ring” operas, the Los Angeles Opera and other institutions will be honoring the 19th century’s most infamous anti-Semite. His book, “Judaism in Music,” published in 1850, gives conclusive proof of that, as well as his essays, correspondence and diaries. Some biographers have suggested that Wagner also incorporated anti-Semitism into his “Ring” operas. Adolf Hitler wrote, “With the exception of Richard Wagner, I have no forerunner.”

If L.A. Opera moves ahead with this arts festival, perhaps it also should include photographs of the Auschwitz concentration camp, Wagner’s truest legacy.

Hal Goldberg

Laguna Woods