Who’s Exploited?

Tro Konialian’s July 2 letter bemoans the commercial excess of today’s artistic productions, specifically Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera.” One passage of his letter:” . . . If I were the world-renowned composer . . . I would require stipulations in the production and advertising contracts to protect my art from being exploited and tainted by modern business tactics and commercialism.”

I admire Mr. Konialian’s vision of Lloyd Webber, Zola-like, penning his latest opus with stiffened fingers in a freezing loft somewhere, but Konialian should suggest those stipulations to someone else.

We’re talking about the “exploited” artist who had the idea of incorporating and selling shares in himself and who makes more money in one hour than most people make in a year and who personally approves of each item of tainting exploitation.

The driving force behind the commercialism of Mr. Lloyd Webber’s art is Mr. Lloyd Webber.

It is likely that much of his creative artistry will be remembered for the next few years, and it is a virtual certainty that his business innovations will live forever. So don’t cry for Lloyd Webber, Mr. Konialian.

LEE GRUENFELD

Los Angeles