What an ill-tempered and unfair review of Russell Watson from Mike Howard (April 29).

It sounded very much as though he was not going to be in the mood to enjoy the singer's sell-out concert at the Brighton Centre before he even went.

Russell is not an opera singer, that is true. He displays his incredible versatility on CDs and in concerts by not only singing opera very well indeed but also by singing across a wide range of musical styles.

It is exciting to find someone who can perform such a diversity so comfortably, whether Neapolitan songs, pop, opera, show songs or even rock 'n' roll.

I suppose Mike doesn't like Lesley Garrett either, for daring to mix classical music with more popular stuff.

The fact that he went on to criticise every aspect of the concert, from the orchestra and choirs to the special guests and programme, speaks volumes about his approach and suggests to me he was ill-suited as a serious reviewer of this event.

Young New Zealander Hayley Westenra sang with such clarity and perfection I suspect most of the audience felt it was she who knocked the talented Charlotte Church for six rather than the other way around.

Mike must lead a very sheltered life if he is surprised by the cost of concert programmes these days.

No one can like every show or production they go to see but this sour review of one of Britain's most talented performers was unworthy, uncalled for and far from being an accurate representation of a first-class concert.

-David Guest, Blatchington Road, Hove