Sir, – It is beyond my comprehension that Wexford Opera House, a regional theatre, will achieve national status.
I speak from experience. I’ve attended more than 130 of Wagner’s operas live in performance in all major cities in Europe, as well as other operas and concerts. I’ve attended numerous Wagner Festivals at Bayreuth. I’ve also attended Wexford Festival Opera.
Recently, the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre was sold by Nama to a third party, instead of being taken by the State and converted into an opera house.
The Grand Canal theatre has all the appearances of an opera house, and it is located in the capital city. It has seating capacity for 2,111 patrons.It does not need to be exclusively for opera. Wexford Opera House seats up to 750 and while it’s beautifully appointed, it doesn’t otherwise cut the mustard. If Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys goes ahead with this plan, Ireland will still be the only country in the Europe not to have an opera house in its capital city.
It’s a very disappointing decision. – Yours, etc, CHRISTOPHER McQUAID The Wagner Society of Ireland, Tallaght, Dublin 24