HONORED ENGLISHMEN

Your generous review of my company's production of the opera Porgy and Bess referred to this first-ever TV version of George Gershwin's work as coming not from ''an American network but from the BBC'' ((REVIEWS, Oct. 4)). Some readers may think this implies that the BBC made it. Although the BBC was a marvelous co-producer and provided the state-of-the-art digital equipment for our shoot, the Gershwin family entrusted the television production of what is possibly America's greatest opera to three Englishmen: Trevor Nunn, Greg Smith and me. It was an honor for us all.

Richard Price, Executive Producer Porgy and Bess Chief Executive Officer Primetime Television London