Backpackers Guide to London
Royal Opera House
Backpackers' Guide to London's Tourist Information | Backpackers' Guide to London Tourist Attractions | Backpackers' Guide to London's Historical Attractions | Backpackers' Guide to Shopping in London | Backpackers' Guide to Sport in London | Backpackers' Guide to Entertainment in London | Backpackers' Guide to Food in London | Backpackers' Guide to London Museums The London Opera House is one of London’s premiere performing arts venues. Sometimes called Royal Opera and of the Royal Ballet. The London Opera House first started as the Theatre Royal, which opened on December 7, 1732. It primarily was a playhouse, and Charles II gave it almost exclusive rights for performance of spoken drama. In 1735, the London Opera House held its first musical performance, the operas of Handel. From 1735 until his death in 1759 he gave regular seasons there, and in fact he composed many of his operas and oratorios specifically to be premiered in that venue. When Handel died, he bequeathed his organ to the London Opera House’s operator, John Rich, and it was placed in a prominent position on the stage. Unfortunately, it was among many valuable items lost in a fire that destroyed the theatre in 1808. After the fire, the London Opera House was again rebuilt, and reopened on September 18, 1809. Another fire ravaged the building in 1856, and the third—and present—theatre was designed by Edward Middleton Barry. It opened with a performance of Meyerbeer's Les Huguenots. Since then the opera house has seen many renovations, the most extensive beginning in 1975 when the government donated land and funds for modernisation, refurbishment and extension. The cost was over £220 million, £78 million of which controversially came from the National Lottery. The new venue had the same traditional horseshoe shaped auditorium as before, but greatly improved technical, rehearsal, office and educational facilities, a new studio theatre called the Linbury Theatre, and much more public space. The Royal Opera is the only British opera company which regularly features the world's most famous opera singers, and often performs the pieces in their original languages, inviting guest artists to play the principal roles. The Royal Opera also has a permanent orchestra, a permanent chorus with 45 singers, a troupe of singers, and an ongoing training programme that not only enhances its stable of artists but helps promote the development of UK arts and culture.
Introduction
History
Royal Opera company
Ashlee House, 261-265 Grays Inn Road, London WC1X 8QT, England
Tel: +44 (0)20 7833 9400 Fax: +44 (0)20 7833 9677
