‘TOSCA’ UEBER ALLES?

While I agree with certain comments of Martin Bernheimer on the artistic merits of the Berlin State Opera’s production of “Tosca,” I take offense to his comments in regards to the playing of the German anthem (“Berlin Brings Bland ‘Tosca’ to the Pavilion,” Sept. 11).

Being a German citizen, born after the war, I have considerable difficulties coming to terms with Germany’s recent past.

For the record, I want to point out that in Germany today it is against the law to sing the verse starting “Deutschland, Deutschland ueber alles. . . .” (“Germany, Germany above all”) because of its possible association with the Hitler era. Instead, the words to the anthem of the Federal Republic of Germany now start with “Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit” (“Unity and Right and Freedom”).

MARKUS GALLMANN

Los Angeles