We use cookies to improve your website experience and provide more personalized services to you, both on this website and through other media. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our use of cookies as explained in our Cookie Policy. Please read our Cookie Policy for more information on how we use cookies and how you can disable them.
You will find the Royal Ballet, the Royal Opera and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, all under one roof at the Royal Opera House in London. Imagine watching all this art, in one place – truly, every art lover’s dream-come-true.
Location: The Royal Opera House is in the district of Covent Garden, London.
The Royal Opera House is open all days of the week, giving you an opportunity to walk its hallowed halls and enjoy art at your convenience.
Mon - Thurs: 9:30am to 5:30PM
Fri - Sun: 9:00am to 5:00PM
You will need to keep aside about 2.5 hours to see the entire place.
The Royal Opera House has a multitude of experiences to offer its visitors – from spectacular performances, amazing interactive events, delicious food and drink, and just the right location to spend a relaxed day. Here are the top highlights that you can experience while here:
1. Learn about the history of the Royal Opera House: Did you know that the current Royal Opera House was the third building to be built on the same spot? The first was the Theatre Royal, built in1732 which functioned as a playhouse for 100 years. The second structure was built in 1809 after a fire destroyed the theatre. This too was destroyed, once again by fire in 1856, and the next one (the one still standing) was built in 1858. It was named Royal Opera House in 1892.
2. Feast your eyes on the stunning architecture: The curving forms, the large staircases, the decorated columns and massive domes are all characteristics of the Baroque style of which was yet to become vogue. In 1999 the structure was reconstructed to make it more accommodating and convenient for patrons.
3. Watch the Royal Ballet perform: The Royal Opera House is the official home of the Royal Ballet. When in London, do try and time your vacation with a performance of the renowned ballet company. Check out their website to know their schedule in advance. If you can, do watch Sleeping Beauty, the first performance of the ballet company at the Royal Opera House.
4. Book yourself a spot to watch the Royal Opera perform: Opera has been performed at the Royal Opera House since the 19th century but it was always traveling troupes. The Royal Opera came into existence after WW II when there was felt a need for a resident opera company that would perform in English.
5. Tour the Royal Opera House: If the ballet and opera were fascinating, you can learn more about the fascinating London performing art venue by taking either of the two available tours.
a) The Backstage Tour lasts about 1.5 hours and includes visits to the backstage and Front of House areas. A tour guide will take you through the history of the venue and its current productions. If you are lucky, you may even get to see the Royal Ballet in a classroom.
b) The Velvet, Gilt and Glamour Tour is shorter at 45 minutes and this will take you through the venue’s architecture and history. You will get to see the Royal Retiring Room, which the members of the royal family still use today.
6. Feast your taste buds: There are a few cafes and restaurants where you can stop for a coffee or a drink. You can also turn the visit into a special occasion and enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner. If you are planning on visiting these places while at a show, do reserve your spot in advance.
Ticket prices to the Royal Opera House depend on which performance you are there to watch. Typically, you will need to pay about £18 - £34 per person.
If you love performing arts and you are in London, you must keep time aside to visit the Royal Opera House. The location is convenient, and you will find there us much to do there, whether you decide to see a ballet or an opera, take a tour of the stunning premises or simply enjoy a good meal.
The centuries-old Royal Opera House in Covent Garden is considered to be one of the world's leading opera houses. Did you know these facts about this incredible London institution?
1. Third time lucky: The current structure is the third building on the same site. The first two were gutted in disastrous fires in 1808 and 1856. The current building was finally a fireproof building that was built in 1858-9. While today's façade, foyer and even the auditorium go back to 1858, nearly every other element of the current complex of buildings dates traces its origin to between 1996 and 1999.
2. A list of impressive 'firsts': The Covent Garden location is the site of various firsts in opera and ballets. Pygmalion, performed in 1734, is the first 'ballet d'action', which is a ballet presented like 'classical ballet', with a story told through dance. Several other first performances, including many of Handel's operas, such as Ariodante, Alcina, Il pastor fido and Semele were also conducted here.
3. The piano was played for the first time in public here: The first-ever public performance of a piano in England was at here on 16 May, 1767 when Miss Bricker sang a piece from Handel's Judith accompanied by Charles Dibdin.
4. The opera house has also witnessed a few remarkable goodbyes: Actress Sarah Siddons gave her final performance at the Royal Opera House in 1812. Her emotional farewell speech is said to have lasted 10 minutes. In 1833, Edmund Keane had a stroke on stage while playing Othello. His son was on stage with him and carried him off stage.
5. The Royal Opera House was the first theatre to use limelight: Limelight was invented by Sir Goldsworthy Gurney in the 1820s. A mix of oxygen and hydrogen was forced through a pipe to produce a flame. Adding quicklime to it produced a very bright light. Limelight was used for the first time in 1837 by theatre manager William Charles Macready to spotlight one particular player on the stage.
6. It's been used as a furniture store and a dance hall: During the WW I, the theatre was used by the Ministry of Works as a furniture repository. During WW II, the same structure was converted into a dance hall. It was only after the war that the decision was made to establish the Royal Opera House as a permanent year-round destination of the opera and ballet companies.
7. It's not actually all that big: Stepping inside the auditorium of the Royal Opera House we assure you will take your breath away. But you’ll be surprised to note that with its seating capacity of 2,256, the Royal Opera House still ranks sixth in London's theatres.
8. Let's go outside: You can enjoy Royal Opera House performances through various innovative means now. Companies are opening up the Royal Opera and Ballet shows in cinemas, on television and via radio broadcasts. You will also find links on YouTube.
