Is opera just for the pampered elite?

I AGREE with Norman Lebrecht’s excellent article on the Royal Opera House’s decision to sell off the family silver to raise funds (Mail). The David Hockney portrait of the late Sir David Webster should be hanging in pride of place alongside that of his protege Sir John Tooley. Webster’s determination rescued this venue from being a wartime dance floor and set it on the road to being one of the world’s top flight opera houses.

It was when the Royal Opera toured to Manchester in the 1960s that I was introduced to its joys. When I moved to London, the Royal Opera House was affordable and a real people’s palace. My partner, a brilliant model maker, worked there so I got to know Sir David. However, after renovations and alterations to the building, it’s become a club of the elite, swanning about among the ghastly new Ikea style furniture and paying £8 for a glass of wine and £12.50 for a plate of sandwiches. Accessible it ain’t. Nor is it the place that Sir David would appreciate. If it could raise millions for its last revamp from celebrity millionaires surely it can keep afloat and not sell Sir David and Sir John’s legacies down the river. ANTONY BARLOW, Wallington, Gtr london.

I OBJECT to the small-minded description of opera being for just a pampered clique (Letters). I have been attending performances by Northern Opera for many years. The tickets are not subsidised and while they are not cheap, they are not as expensive as going to many sports events or pop concerts. It would be a dull world if we all enjoyed the same thing. Maybe those who think opera is elitist should book a ticket when live performances are allowed once more. They can then make an informed opinion and find out what they have been missing. Don’t assume all opera fans are rich, posh types because we’re not! SARAH MORRISON, Ormskirk, lancs.