Madam, - What a precise and articulate critique of La Vestale Michael Dervan treated us to last Saturday. Such a fine range of faults he unearthed in the performance. However, as one who attends the opera festival purely to sit back, be entertained, and enjoy the spectacle, I must say I thought La Vestale was the most enjoyable opera I have attended in Wexford for many years. - Yours, etc.,
DES WALSH,
Wayside,
Roscrea,
Co Tipperary.
Madam, - I have just completed reading Michael Dervan's ever predictable critiques of the Wexford operas. An appropriate adjective that might aptly describe his operatic reviews over the years since he succeeded Charles Acton is: joyless.
Have any of your readers ever missed a performance reviewed by Mr Dervan and wished they had been there? - Yours, etc.,
DENIS M.MAGEE,
Willowbank,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.