The declaration made by the chairman of the Manoel Theatre, Peter Fenech, that Malta does not need another opera house evidently struck a discordant note with opera buffs and theatre-goers. On the other hand, it must have been music to the ears of those who feel there are enough theatres.

These might include the Prime Minister who thinks the site of the old opera house should be used to construct a new Parliament building.

It is not exactly clear what Dr Fenech wanted to achieve with the comments he gave to this newspaper. What is certain is that they stirred a hornet's nest, more so because it seemed as if he based his argument primarily on the bottom line, noting, for example, that the latest Bank of Valletta Opera Festival led to a €90,000 loss. He also expressed his belief that there were only 700-odd people interested in the art and Dr Fenech even doubted their genuineness and the survival of opera.

That is a rather simplistic way of looking at things, especially when dealing with something as sensitive as art.

Dwindling audiences do not necessarily only mean that people are not interested. The problem could be, and, indeed, probably is, much deeper and may even have to do with the education system. In fact, the Manoel continues to fail to attract the younger generations. Opera can be attractive to them if presented in the right way and format.

There is also the way one sells/promotes the representations, including for the opera festival. This needs to be more innovative and appealing to new audiences. There is nothing to tempt one to try a night at the opera and most youngsters still consider it something for "old people". Unfortunately it is because it is not being presented in any other way. As chairman of the national theatre, Dr Fenech needs to look deeper into the matter and address the source of the problem rather than the symptoms. The way to do so is to be art oriented not bottom-line driven.

But he cannot do it alone. Those responsible for educational institutions must shoulder responsibility too. Music appreciation, poetry, literature and art do not enjoy a high placing on the educational agenda. No wonder museums, theatres, libraries and historical venues are not frequented by youngsters. Cinemas, discotheques and clubs are always full and there is nothing wrong in that. What is wrong is that the only culture youngsters are being exposed to is "pop culture"; their full formation therefore has a deficit.

There are money matters too, of course. Unless the government, and the private sector, put in more money for art and culture, people will have to be asked to pay hefty prices for theatrical performances, making the opera and concerts even more elitist. There have been complaints that the prices for the concerts at the Manoel are too steep. If sponsors are found, do prices still have to be so high or are sponsors also hard to come by? If the latter is the case, there is need to find out exactly why.

The Manoel Theatre management committee has a duty to de-mystify and popularise classical music and opera rather than write it off because the numbers are not there. Dr Fenech, as chairman, and every committee member is in duty bound to do that. This being the national theatre, the political authorities responsible for culture must intervene and ensure action. Otherwise, they might as well bring the curtain down on opera.