SIR: I write to correct the facts used by your correspondent B Smith in his letter about the Festival Opera production of August 30 and 31 this year.

The first half of the programme, a short opera by Mozart, will be given in the Festival Hall (not the Albert Hall) with approximately 100 people seated informally around tables to watch the performance. After the interval, the audience will cross the road to watch 'Trial by Jury' in No.1 Court where the seating capacity is the same.

The unusual venues, the relatively inexpensive ticket prices for opera, the amusement and good, tuneful music in both pieces are all factors in making this Festival Opera production sure to be a sell-out success. Is that not giving the people of Bolton what they want?

Paul Payton, Artistic Director

Bolton Festival Opera

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