Madam, - Last January the Irish Youth Orchestra played in the City Hall Cork. I was unable to buy a balcony ticket (even though there were plenty available) so I had to settle for a ticket near the front of the orchestra downstairs. While a young musician played Brahms's First Piano Concerto a couple in the very front (and quite near the soloist) spent the entire time having an in-depth conversation, ruining the concert for all those in their vicinity. At the interval a friend of mine went and read the riot act to the two young philistines, but it was all a bit late for the unfortunates who had to endure their chatter.
This past week was European String Quartet week in Cork with some of the world's greatest quartets playing in various venues. On March 30th the Tokyo Quartet played in the Crawford Gallery. Accompanying them was the noise of skateboarders from the street outside and the endless rumble of footsteps from the upper floor of the building. All one could do was cringe.
Then on Thursday night in UCC the equally brilliant Lindsay Quartet played Beethoven's Opus 132. Here some old bat in front of me decided a great time to talk to her partner was while the quartet played the most serene and quietest part of the molto adagio, while on my right one of the "see and be seen" set spent the entire time shuffling through the programme notes. The sheer embarrassment of it all!
On April 1st the ConTempo Quartet gave a performance in the impressive AIB building on the South Mall at 5pm. However the entire concert was utterly ruined as various bank staff opened and closed doors noisily every few minutes, oblivious of what was taking place. Cork, European Capital of Culture, indeed? Give me a break! - Yours, etc.,
ANTHONY HARTNETT, Chestnut Grove, Bishopstown, Cork.