Tanner the panner
From Mr A.N. Wilson Sir: One can only conclude that Michael Tanner saw a different production of La Clemenza di Tito (Arts, 5 February) from the sublime performances in the Royal Opera House on 1 and 3 February. The conducting — described by the inclement Tanner as 'the poor conducting of Nicholas McGegan' — was mellow, tender and sub- lime. The only 'jerk' to be found in the opera house was, one suspects, your esteemed critic.
As for his suggestion that Vinson Cole played the great emperor as an 'abject wimp', the complete opposite was the case. Here was a Tito who showed that majesty and power were never more strongly dis- played than in clemency. Cole gave a superb rendering of the moving final act. Vitellia a 'Hollywood Forties bitch- queen'? Again, one wonders who's being a bitch. Mr Tanner does not mention the rich authority of Patricia Scuman's voice, nor her acting skills. Everyone except Mr Tan- ner must have been in love with her by the end of the evening. Yes, she is as beautiful as Rita Hayworth, but does that disqualify her from singing at the Opera House? Surely there is an element of what Tan- ner calls camp comedy in this opera, and it was perfectly legitimate to bring this out. Those of us who failed to see this playfully serious production eight years ago at Salzburg can only be grateful that it has been brought to our marvellous revamped opera house in Covent Garden. It gave joy to a packed house.
Chuck it, Tanner! Or better still, dear sir, chuck Tanner.
A.N. Wilson
London NW1
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