Arts Minister Martin Cullen has announced the establishment of an Irish National Opera.

Fledgling opera singers are travelling from all over the world to compete in an Irish competition with the potential to launch them on the international circuit, it was revealed today.

Public relations guru Mary Finan was today appointed by the Government as chairperson of the RTE Authority.

THERE have been many modern versions of La Traviata, Giuseppe Verdi’s seminal opera of love and loss. Not even the most daring producer, though, has ever dreamed of showing any of the characters snorting cocaine.

A consignment of cocaine estimated to be worth over half a million euro, has been seized from a truck carrying equipment and costumes for the Opera Ireland company.

Mary Finan has been elected chairman of the Economic and Social Research Institute.

PLAYWRIGHT Arthur Miller’s participation is one of the highlights of the 2003 Dublin Theatre Festival, running from September 29 to October 11.

“NONE shall sing, none shall sing.” Or as Puccini might put it: “Nessun canta, nessun canta.”

IF investment in the arts and culture is a symbol of a civilised society, then Ireland’s image is sadly lacking at present.