UK Edition
Dame Esther Rantzen accuses opera houses of 'disregarding' over 65s by aiming discounts at young people
Dame Esther Rantzen has accused opera houses of "disregarding" over 65s by aiming its discounts at young people.
In recent months a number of major theatres, including the Royal Opera House, the Barbican, English National Opera and the National Theatre have introduced initiatives to encourage younger audiences with reduced, or even free tickets.
It has left older generations feeling they deserve the same treatment, with many struggling to afford tickets.
Dame Esther, the journalist and TV presenter, has now offered her support to the elderly in response to a letter by opera-loving octogenarian Charles Piper, who called on production houses to do more for older people.
Mr Piper, writing in the Opera Now magazine, said: “I have been a passionate supporter of opera but now I find myself increasingly unable to go to performances, not because I am infirm, but because I simply can’t afford it.”
The long-time devotee, who remembers seeing the debut of opera great Maria Callas in London in 1952, said he was “more than dismayed” by the scarce initiatives opera houses are making to retain the old.
“I don’t wish to deny the young the opportunity to go to the opera for free, but what about the poor old elderly?,” Mr Piper said.
Dame Esther, 78, who founded The Silver Line charity in 2013 to help older people combat loneliness, was moved by Mr Piper’s letter.
The former That's Life! presenter and producer said: “It is extraordinary for me how the media and the arts concentrate on 16-24s and completely reject and disregard the over 65s.
“There is a very important therapeutic effect of listening to the music you love as you grow older. It literally keeps you young.”
She even suggested The Telegraph readers and Mr Piper should join her in a march to the Royal Opera House (ROH) in Covent Garden “wielding banners and singing lustily something from Nabucco, the chorus of Hebrew slaves.”
A ROH spokesperson said it relied on the attendance of our loyal audience to stage its world-class performances but also had to "nurture" the next generation of opera lovers.
The English National Opera (ENO), which entices first time visitors with £20 tickets under its Opera Undressed scheme, said it “remains committed” to making opera for all. The ENO does offer standby rates to senior citizens, but these are only available for some performances.
Opera Now editor Ashutosh Khandekar said opera companies are “right” to incentivise young people but “shouldn't lose sight” of loyal opera-goers who are struggling to attend due to diminishing pensions.
Mr Khandekar also called on opera houses to offer price reductions for the elderly and deals for grandparents who bring their grandchildren to ‘transmit’ the love of opera to a new generation.
Rey Trombetta, from Streetwise Opera, a charity promoting broad participation in the arts, said the art form was “never a preserve of the rich” and had the power to “inspire, empower and rejuvenate” older audiences.