Sir, - Your critic Aidan Twomey needs to lighten up! I attended Messiah XXI and thought it was well worth my investment. The effort put forth by Frank McNamara and all the performers certainly did not "show disrespect to the music, composer and the millions of music lovers who hold this piece dear", as Mr Twomey writes.
I count myself among those millions and I have seen Messiah performed all over the world. Sure, Messiah XXI had its problems, but "Hallelujah" to Frank McNamara and the entire cast for daring to "Handel" it in a fresh and innovative way.
And now it's headed for television. Because of the cast it will bring the story of Jesus Christ and Handel's music to viewers who might not be drawn to the original work. - Yours, etc.,
Kathleen Sullivan White, Cherry House, Dublin 4.