DEARBHLA COLLINS,
Madam, - Eric H. Lowry (October 31st) should become more acquainted with the quality of music-making and opera production in this country before casting aspersions on Irish artistic life. Undeniably the standard at the Wexford Opera Festival this year was very high, but this should not be taken to imply that the standard of Irish artists was not equally so.
Whatever the reason for Wexford Opera Festival eschewing the use of Irish artists it cannot be that there is a dearth of sufficiently accomplished native talent - there are singers with international reputations and careers living right on the Festival's doorstep in the county of Wexford.
Irish musicians do not have to be told they "just have to work harder and step up to their level" by an English festival-goer; the talent is here in abundance and should be employed in tandem with international talent as is the case with Opera Ireland and other opera companies in this country.
On a final note, if Mr Lowry has ever heard Lindsay Armstrong's Orchestra of St Cecilia perform, he will be aware of their already high standard and will also realise they are a chamber orchestra and as such would never aspire to become the orchestra of the Wexford Opera Festival. - Yours, etc.,
DEARBHLA COLLINS,
Drumcondra,
Dublin 9.