Letter: Polite applause

Letter: Polite applause

Sir: It is a pity that Philip Hensher did not take the trouble to check his facts before bursting into print with yet another media piece lampooning opera. Had he done so, he would heave learnt that the "snorer" was a patron suffering from severe breathing difficulties, who had to be carried from the stage box to receive emergency treatment.

MAGGIE SEDWARDS

Director of Public Relations

English National Opera

London WC2