Sir, - Your reviewer Martin Adams (February 19th) has, I feel, been more than kind to the Moldovan and Romanian opera singers who appeared at the NCH recently. There were some strange inadequacies in presentation, which I should like to mention.
Firstly the soloists, contrary to the usual practice of standing at the front of the stage, chose to take up a position more or less centrestage, facing the conductor, with the result that some of the audience had problems keeping them in vision. The presenter, Padraig O'Rourke, elected to speak the linking commentary from a seated position at the side of the stage, which was not helpful to all involved.
The absence of the advertised chorus was not explained, though it has been suggested that they arrived at the wrong venue on the night. It is a pity the same fate did not befall the group of soloists, all of whom - with the exception of the one soprano mentioned by, your reviewer - showed a lack of rudimentary technique and style.
This, therefore, was a depressing evening, which opens up the whole question of what level of standards we have a right to expect from visiting artists. This is an important issue, and I would contend that they should demonstrate a level of excellence at least the equal of the best of home produced talent. On this occasion, such a criterion was not reached and someone has an explanation to offer the paying customer. - Yours, etc.
Annaville Park, Dundrum Road, Dublin 14.