Leland Chen -- a truly magnificent artist HAVING read Mr Cliff Heyes' letter (BEN: July 19) regarding the Leland Chen recital in the Albert Hall, I must say that I agree with everything he said.

Personally, I cringed for this truly magnificent artist when I saw row upon row of empty seats.

It doesn't stop there though. I also went to the concert at the same venue on the previous night, when the Manchester Camerata put on a most beautiful programme before an audience of about 100 people.

All very embarrassing, I'm afraid.

Although, we Boltonians have a most attractive venue in the Albert Hall and a committee forward-looking enough to provide top class music and artists for the town's Prom season at very reasonable prices, we do not seem to have the support from the public to justify the trouble taken.

Many will probably use their usual excuse that the events were not very advertised. How about the Last Night of the Proms, when the Victoria Hall was packed to the rafters then?

Worthy though the cause was, all proceeds going to Bolton Hospice, unless you turned up to the event well before 7pm for a 7.30pm start, a seat where you could either see or hear properly what was going on was almost impossible to obtain. The advertising for this concert was no more than the others.

Thank you, Bolton, for trying anyway.

I'm only sorry that the concert-going people in your town don't seem to want to give you the support you deserve.

P. Nightingale

Orwell Road

Bolton