IN response to Steve Crowther's damning review of Russell Watson's The Voice concert at the Barbican (January 29), I will endeavour to keep my personal account of the night factual, unlike the fabricated nonsense of one man who clearly wouldn't know true talent and a marvellous concert if it was in front of him - and it certainly was!

I found his review confusing on many aspects. I had gone to see Russell Watson in concert with an orchestra and choir - not the other way round, as your reviewer implied. There was no mention of the heart-warming guest appearance of a local children's choir, the duet partners of Cleopatra Higgins and Marion Wilmann and the 40-strong choir.

Nor was there any mention of Russell's obvious bonhomie with both his guests and the audience, who loved him for it.

I cannot claim to be an expert on classical music, but considering the acoustic constraints of the Barbican, the concert left me wanting more.

Russell's natural, powerful singing ability could not fail to touch people's hearts. The applause throughout the concert (both for Russell and the orchestra), with a long standing ovation at the end, left me wondering if Mr Crowther was at the same concert that I attended.

Helen Atkinson,

Spring Hall Garth, Malton.

...WHAT a shame Steve Crowther never gave his ticket to someone else, there wasn't a spare seat in the place. He must have been the only person in the audience not to have enjoyed the evening. The orchestra were superb, not at all "tinny", and Russell Watson himself was fantastic. He appears to be a very nice, unassuming man with an incredible voice.

Unfortunately, I doubt that we will see him at the Barbican again. Next time he will probably be at the Royal Albert Hall, where no doubt the critics will appreciate "the voice" (maybe Steve Crowther should stick to boy bands in future).

Mrs B Gilbertson,

Teal Drive,

Woodthorpe, York.

Updated: 11:40 Saturday, February 03, 2001