Opera North is cheaper in pounds per hour than a trip to watch Leeds United, and occasionally the football can be mediocre (Letters, 16 March), but I must disagree with how sublime the music can be. Joining a 20,000 strong “choir” to sing Marching On Together puts a lump in my throat, a tear in my eye and joy in my heart, and I don’t for one moment regret swapping that for some change and three tenners.
John Ellam
Royal Leamington Spa, Warkwickshire
• In her letter comparing the costs of football and opera, Mary Barber has overlooked the Arts Council subsidy of £10m-plus received by Opera North. Football might be expensive entertainment, but at least those who enjoy it pay the full cost and do not benefit by subsidy from the taxpayer.
Bill Burkinshaw
Twyford, Buckingham
• I am still wondering about my surgeon’s referral letter (Letters, 18 March). He called me “ a pleasant Arsenal supporter”.
Cyril Duff
London
• Your report on the consumer price index (From craft beer to e-cigarettes, 18 March) shows the new basket of goods with craft beer in a thick dimpled glass. No self-respecting craft beer drinker would use such a container. Craft beers and real ale are sold in straight glasses with thin glass in order to appreciate the flavour.
John Lingard
Newcastle upon Tyne
• So nice to see that Terry Pratchett’s Greebo is out and about in Wells (Cathedral cat accused of wild attacks on dogs, 17 March).
Lola Martinez
Oxford
• Dame Ethel Smyth (Letters, 18 March) was also the subject of a diary entry by Virginia Woolf: “An old woman of 71 has fallen in love with me ... It is like being caught by a giant crab.”
Allan Saunders
Aldreth, Cambridgeshire
• I can’t be the only one to have noticed that Ed Miliband = Lib Dem and I (Letters, 14 March).
Josie Smith
Sheffield
