Royal Opera House

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Major opera house in Covent Garden, London

The Royal Opera House is a major performing arts venue located in Covent Garden, London. It is home to The Royal Opera, The Royal Ballet, and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House. The building is often referred to as simply "Covent Garden," after a previous use of the site.

History

The current building is the third theatre on the site. The first, known as the Theatre Royal, was opened in 1732. It was designed by Edward Shepherd. The second theatre, also called the Theatre Royal, was built in 1809 after the first was destroyed by fire. The present building, designed by Edward Middleton Barry, opened in 1858.

Architecture

The Royal Opera House is a Grade I listed building. The main auditorium, which seats 2,256 people, is a traditional horseshoe-shaped theatre. The building underwent a major reconstruction in the 1990s, which included the addition of new rehearsal spaces, a new studio theatre, and improved facilities for the audience.

Performances

The Royal Opera House hosts a wide range of performances, including opera, ballet, and other forms of classical music. It is renowned for its high-quality productions and has a reputation as one of the leading opera houses in the world.

The Royal Opera

The Royal Opera is one of the two main resident companies at the Royal Opera House. It was founded in 1946 and has since become one of the world's leading opera companies. The company performs a wide range of operatic works, from the traditional to the contemporary.

The Royal Ballet

The Royal Ballet is the other main resident company at the Royal Opera House. It was founded in 1931 by Dame Ninette de Valois. The company is known for its diverse repertoire, which includes both classical and contemporary works.

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House is the resident orchestra of the Royal Opera House. It was founded in 1946 and plays for both The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet. The orchestra is known for its versatility and high standard of performance.

Related Pages

• The Royal Opera
• The Royal Ballet
• Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
• Covent Garden
• Grade I listed buildings in London
• List of opera houses

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