The author of this article ought to be commended. The so-called "Arts Council" makes me feel nauseated! This equals and even partly surpasses my annoyance at the BBC not upholding and promoting Received Pronunciation, proper grammar and elocution not being taught in schools, and dress codes disappearing everywhere. How can they call themselves an arts council if they don't even understand the importance of opera? Why must everything be dumbed down and modernised? What is wrong with something being old, or even attracting a more upper class, well-educated audience? (It was explained in the article that cost wasn't the issue, so the audience isn't, in fact, as described). Will they next say that classical concerts should be eliminated in favour of rock, pop, and who knows what else, because they are old as well? Perhaps they'll insist that Mozart and beethoven be played on electric guitars and synthesizers! (Yes, I know of Beethoven's Fifth in disco, but that's not what one normally expects to hear at a classical concert.) I am forty-one, so I'm well outside this young bracket, but I absolutely agree that they don't need things dumbed down for them. Treat people as if they are stupid and they will inevitably act that way. They're already ruining things with modernisation. At least keep what's left! And if the young are flocking to see these things, doesn't that mean that they wish to be more cultured and intelligent, or at the very least, that they just want to enjoy a good story as others have done for generations before them? Why shouldn't they have that right?
https://inews.co.uk/culture/music/young-opera-fan-dumbed-down-2970224
