Sir, – Michael Dervan’s article on the state of opera in Ireland should make us despair, but then, nowadays despair is not an option (Life Culture, August 15th).
His analysis of the official neglect between the various departments of whatever and the Arts Council makes compelling reading, but where do opera lovers fit in? In the 1940s, opera lovers in Dublin were empowered to do something about the provision of opera in the capital, and yes, they succeeded.
The DGOS and its successor Opera Ireland provided professional standards of opera, thereby providing opportunities for singers, producers, designers both Irish and international.
They were often adventurous and imaginative in their choice and presentation of repertoire.
The destruction of Opera Ireland was unnecessary, and cynical. It had a large base of of loyal followers who packed the Gaiety and continued to provide support and sponsorship through good times and bad.
Those followers have not gone away, and are ready and willing to provide that support in whatever way they can.
Surely the way forward is a combination of effective Government funding and public-private sponsorship, but please, no more reviews, reports or feasibility studies.
Is Irish opera doomed to its fate? Only if we let it. – Yours, etc,