PATRON OR DICTATOR?
SIR,—The Arts Council's mishandling of its relations with the Carl Rosa Trust has compelled me to speak publicly and often on the subject-far oftener than I could have wished. Anyone in the least interested in the controversy must by now be monotonously familiar with the fact that I speak for the Trust. I do not therefore propose to take seriously the diversionary tactics of Sir Kenneth Clark's letter, which entirely ignores my criticisms of Arts Council policy towards the provinces. I am not surprised. It must be very difficult to think of a defence.
I must nevertheless remind Sir Kenneth that he has forgotten the facts. The reasons given by the Arts Council for withdrawing the Carl Rosa grant in July, 1958, were nothing whatever to do with musical or operatic standards, and the opinions of music critics have therefore no relevance to the main issue. The charge made was that the Trust-the management-was 'unstable.' This statement was supported by information about the alleged resigna- tions from the Trust. This information and the de- ductions drawn from it were inaccurate and mis- leading and should never have been made the basis of action by a public body. This is the situation which we have repeatedly asked to be investigated. The Arts Council owe it to all concerned to investi- gate it.
The question of artistic standards is an entirely different matter. The Carl Rosa is proud of its re- cord. It would be the first to agree that if it had ever received a grant larger than a small fraction of that received by the other opera companies it could have done even better.-Yours faithfully,
CHARLES WILSON
Carl Rosa Trust Limited, 10 Gloucester Place, WI
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