Sir, – Further to Brendan Quinn’s letter of December 7th, there is a certain logic in designating the theatre in Wexford as Ireland’s National Opera House.
It is far and away the best opera house in the country, excellently equipped both backstage and front of house, possessing fine acoustics and appropriate seating capacity. There is no similar building in Dublin, nor is there likely to be in the foreseeable future.
Unfortunately, the impressive title does not match the results as, at present, less than two weeks of opera actually take place in the theatre in the entire year – a truly Gilbertian comic opera situation!
The logical step to rectifying this topsy-turvy affair would be to make the theatre fit the title by establishing a full-time national opera company based in Wexford.
Such an investment in the arts by the Government would be an immense economic and cultural boost, not only to the town of Wexford and its hinterland, but to the whole country. It would give much-needed employment to all the people who make up the essential infrastructure of a permanent opera house – singers, conductors, directors, designers, orchestra, chorus, dancers, scenery builders, costume-makers, technicians, administrators, and so on. The opportunities for commissioning operas from Irish composers would be hugely increased.
A vital part of the national company’s remit would be to present seasons of opera in Dublin, Belfast, Cork and other cities and towns with reasonably suitable venues.
Surely utilising to the full the splendid facilities of the National Opera House in Wexford is infinitely better than the existing situation? – Yours, etc,
LINDSAY ARMSTRONG,
GILLIAN SMITH,
Ranelagh,
Dublin 6.