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Sir: Once I was a devoted fan of the New York City Ballet, but I have attended few performances in past years. Your article unconsciously explains why [Oct. 30]. George Balanchine has drained ballet of all its theatricalism and has left us with a series of impersonal ballet exercises and pseudo-acrobatic routines danced by equally impersonal technicians. Nowhere in your article does Mr. Balanchine or your writer give any hope for the sadly lacking male segment of the company. Are the "ballerinas" all that Balanchine is interested in? Tall ones at that. What about the tall men needed to partner them? As for Balanchine's statement that any one of his ballerinas would be a prima ballerina with any other company —I find this highly improbable. Ballerinas as we know them are far more than impersonal technicians. They are highly individual and technically exacting personalities. Mr. Balanchine's girls are not.
RICHARD MEALEY
New York City
Uncoveted Neighbors Sir: Omphaloskepsis, then, is no longer the metier of only the Buddhists [Oct. 30]. The difference is that instead of regarding our own, we are apt to be concerned with that of our neighbor's wife. But perhaps it is only a passing navelty.
NEAL HOPKINS
Annapolis
Sir: How do you compliment the lady who has her navel on display? Your Hawaiian readers should surely tell you the cordial solution is their traditional salutation, "Pehea kd piko?" That is to say, "How's the navel?"
JOHN C. UEHLINGER
Coronado, Calif.
* Aristotle's view of matter as a union of basic substance and substantial form. The first remains the same throughout change; the latter varies with the movement and interaction of elements in the universe.