26 JULY 1997, Page 27

Opera without music

Sir: Glyndebourne's long intervals are indeed a hindrance not only to the enjoy- ment of The Makropulos Case (Arts, 19 July) but of all opera. As the majority of Glyndebourne patrons make the pilgrimage for social reasons alone, wouldn't Sir George Christie and his team be well advised to mount certain Glyndebourne evenings exclusively for the pleasures of the lawns and the hampers, without any perfor- mance of music at all? I'm sure corporate subscribers and the world of social snob- bery and fashion would be relieved. An opera without opera? 'Opera of the Absurd'? Here is a challenge to the innova- tive Christie fraternity to pioneer an entire- ly new art form.

George R. Urban

14 Palmeira Square, Hove, Sussex