Sir, - Having just seen the first television screening of Frank McNamara's adaptation of Handel's Messiah, may I take this opportunity to offer him my heartiest congratulations on an excellent arrangement and a wonderful production? In my opinion, it lost none of the character of the original but gained very much from this interpretation. I look forward to its next staging and hope to join one of the capacity crowds to see it live.
May I suggest that those prophets of doom who foresaw a slaying of the original piece now form a mutual support group with those who confidently predicted that Riverdance would spell the end of Irish dancing? Beware of false prophets, indeed. - Yours, etc.,
Conor Brady, Knockmullen, New Ross, Co Wexford.