The ENO spokesman said that Smith's full comment, which was meant to disprove—rather than emphasize—opera's elitist reputation, was, "We put [The Ride of the Valkyries] on in front of 50,000 people who had never heard or hardly knew how to spell opera, and they were compeletely and utterly riveted by it."

The seminar was about reaching new audiences for opera performances.

In addition, the spokesman said that Martin's remarks were protected by "Chatham House rules"—that they were spoken in confidence and should not have been leaked to the press.