Royal Opera House Covent Garden Theater
Covent Garden Theatre is one of the most famous theaters in the world, located in the historic center of London. The history of the iconic theater began in 1732. Nowadays, the majestic building, erected in the mid-19th century, hosts performances by the Royal Ballet and Royal Opera companies, which are hugely popular with Londoners and visitors to the British capital. All Covent Garden productions are of the highest artistic caliber.
Video: Covent Garden Theatre
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The Royal Opera House has hosted internationally renowned performers such as Renée Fleming from the United States, Jonas Kaufmann from Germany, Anna Netrebko from Russia, Jose Cura from Argentina, and Cecilia Bartoli and Plácido Domingo from Italy. The opera company gives around 150 performances a year, and its patron is the Prince of Wales.
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The Royal Ballet is the largest dance company in the country. It performs both classical ballets and contemporary choreographic productions. The ballet is patronized by Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain herself. Since 1995, the theater has hosted “Verdian Festivals.”
The existing theater building is now in its third year. The very first theater appeared at the turn of the 20s and 30s of the 18th century. It was created by director John Rich and occupied the grounds of a disused monastery garden. In 1732, the new theater hosted the premiere of a play based on a play by Englishman William Congreve.
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For almost a century, Covent Garden was one of only two dramatic theaters in the nation’s capital. From 1734 operas began to be shown here, followed two more years later by ballet performances. A little later, it became a tradition to perform religious oratorios for the days of Lent at the Covent Garden Theater.
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In 1808, the theater building burned down in a fire. Londoners did not want to be without their favorite entertainment, so a new theater was erected in just 9 months and opened in 1809. The management of the theater sought to quickly return the money spent on construction, and immediately increased ticket prices. However, for two whole months the London public disrupted the productions with outraged cries, and the prices again became the same..
In the first half of the 19th century, the Covent Garden Theater alternately hosted dramatic productions, operas, ballets, and circus performances. Several independent troupes worked for the audience. Famous English tragedians Edmund Keane and Sarah Siddons appeared on the famous stage. In addition, the famous British clown Joseph Grimaldi demonstrated his skills.
.In 1847, the auditorium was reconstructed, dramas were removed from the repertoire, and the theater was renamed the Royal Italian Opera House. The first production of the new theater was the opera Semiramide, written by Gioacchino Rossini. But in the renewed form of Covent Garden did not last long. In 1856, the theater building was seriously damaged in another fire, and it had to be rebuilt.
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The design of the new Covent Garden Theater was prepared by the architect Edward Middleton Barry. Construction took two years and was completed in 1858. The theater company’s first production was the composer Giacomo Meireber’s opera The Huguenots. It is noteworthy that until 1892, Londoners watched all opera productions only in Italian, but then they began to be performed in the original language.
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During World War I, the theater building was used as a warehouse, and when World War II broke out, a dance hall was set up inside. The theater tradition was restored here after 1946.
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Video: Excerpt from “Queen of the Night aria”
Theater Tours
Especially for tourists, the Covent Garden Theatre conducts tours of the building, during which travelers can learn about the history and features of the famous theater.
The tour, called Velvet, Gilt and Glamour, lasts 45 minutes and costs £9.50 for adult visitors, £9 for pensioners and students and £7.50 for children. During it, tourists are taken to the Royal Lounge, which is still used today to receive dignitaries. They are shown the theater from the highest point and told about the architecture of the building. Tourists can see the elegant foyer and luxurious sets, and learn Covent Garden lore and theater tales.
.The Thurrock Tour is designed for creative people. It demonstrates the technology of sewing theatrical costumes and assembling sets. This tour costs £8 for adult visitors and £7.50 for pensioners, students and children.
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Visitor Information
Tickets for Covent Garden Theatre performances cost between £15 and £185. They are purchased from the theater box offices located on Bow Street and Russel Street, or online.
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Before the performance, you can grab a bite to eat in the café or have dinner in the theater’s restaurant. It is interesting that the menu here is formed separately for each performance. Since there are always a lot of people who want to visit the restaurant of Covent Garden, it is recommended to book a table in advance, for example, at the same time as buying tickets.
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How to get there
The Covent Garden Theatre is located in the London borough of the same name, on Bow Street. It is located within walking distance of Covent Garden tube station. Many city buses stop near the theater building.
