TINA Oakes is shocked (Letters, May 27) that the word “opera” should be ascribed to the works of Gilbert and Sullivan with which comedian Les Dennis is involved. In the arts world there is, among some, an air of exclusivity which can be observed from the criticisms of Jack Vettriano’s popular paintings and the world of opera is no different. The dictionary tells us that the word "opera" is a theatrical piece with the story told through music and singing, the quality of which is another matter altogether. Arthur Sullivan was in no doubt that his compositions came under the heading of operetta or light opera. With Gilbert’s comedic and witty libretto, their operettas have always been hugely popular. This of course is anathema to critics with esoteric knowledge of whatever genre they specialise in and anything associated with hoi polloi should be treated with some disdain and indeed, if I may quote a line uttered by Pooh-Bah from the Mikado or The Town of Titipu, “ I am, in point of fact, a particularly haughty and exclusive person….”.