Sir, - I am indebted to The Irish Times for sponsoring the sublime Eveny Kissin pianoforte recital in the NCH last Saturday. However, I was astonished to see latecomers shuffling into their seats after the first movement of the Beethoven sonata, and even more so to see Kissin having to wait for latecomers to find their seats after the interval. In addition, the almost persistent ill-concealed spates of coughing thoroughout the performance, which seemed to be amplified by the hall's acoustic, were quite unacceptable. I have attended recitals in capital cities around the world, and have never encountered this before. Socks up, please, Dubliners, for the next concert. - Yours etc.,
From Ronald Lees
Kenley Grange Heights, Douglas, Co Cork.