It was a treat to be at the Manoel Theatre on the afternoon of January 11 and be part of a hugely appreciative audience that packed the theatre to the gods.

The Concerto de Cavalieri delighted all us thanks to the superb performance.

The only fly in the ointment was the sight of the three main boxes in the first tier, the President’s, the Prime Minister’s and another official one, looking like gaping front tooth sockets in an otherwise perfect mouth.

Is it possible that there are no Baroque music afficionados from among the support staff and elsewhere who can fill these three boxes throughout the Baroque Festival and people to fill them every time there’s a performance of any kind at the Manoel Theatre?

What a slap in the face to the performers above all and no less to the organisers.