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Ovations
• WITH reference to the Review (Those that can, do, those that can’t, criticise, March 20) – your critic seems to be under the misapprehension that every performance deserves a standing ovation, regardless of the standards achieved.
How then would he differentiate between Maria Callas at her peak and the local ladies’ choir? The automatic standing ovation seems to have developed in America, where performance is often judged by financial or ‘star’ status rather than interpretation and talent. As your critic indicates that he has been ‘living and going to performances in London for only a year or so’, perhaps he needs to understand that London audiences (generally) give the applause that is due – be outstanding and the standing ovation will follow. Perhaps gramatically the head should have read Those who can, do; those who can’t, criticise.
DON HIBBS
address supplied
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