Everyone loses out from opera funding cuts
SIR – I published a history of English National Opera in 2009. It was called Opera for Everybody and, as the name suggests, the origin and ethos of the company were based on Lilian Baylis’s belief that opera, theatre, and ballet would and should enrich the lives of everyone in society, and not just be available to the wealthy.
After the Second World War, with grants from the newly created Arts Council, three performing arts institutions – English National Opera, the Royal Ballet and later the National Theatre – blossomed into the extraordinary institutions that we are in danger of losing today.
Opera North was created out of English National Opera when it became clear that it was not financially viable for the latter to continue touring. Opera North tours the North. English National Opera serves London and the South.
The BBC, English National Opera and the National Theatre are creative national treasures that belong to all of us and should be there as a right – along with the NHS, excellent education, and a safety net in hard times. Since 2012 all of this has been eroded in the name of austerity, and we risk losing the pillars of the decent society that were created after the Second World War. Cutting funds to English National Opera (report, November 5) is yet another episode in this process, and we seem to be returning to a world of opera for the few.
I hope it is not too late to step back from the brink and prevent the ongoing erosion of the creative, humane soul of the nation.