Royal Opera House
About Royal Opera House
Home of The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera, presenting world-class opera and ballet in a grand Victorian auditorium on Covent Garden's piazza.
History
A theatre has stood on this site since 1732. The current building, designed by Edward Middleton Barry, opened in 1858 after a fire destroyed its predecessor.
A major redevelopment completed in 1999 restored the auditorium and integrated the iron-and-glass Floral Hall, now the Paul Hamlyn Hall. A further 2018 project opened the building up to the public during the day.
What to Expect
Expect a glamorous horseshoe-shaped auditorium in red and gold, but no strict dress code — smart casual is fine. Cheaper upper-amphitheatre seats offer great sound. Even without tickets you can visit the foyers, café and rooftop terrace with views over Covent Garden.
Known For
Highlights
- Opera and ballet
- Backstage tours
- Rooftop terrace
- Glass Paul Hamlyn Hall
- Free lunchtime events
- Restaurants and bars
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is there a dress code at the Royal Opera House?
- No. There is no formal dress code, and most people wear smart casual clothes. Some dress up for opening nights and galas.
- How can I get cheap tickets to the Royal Opera House?
- Upper-amphitheatre and standing tickets can cost as little as around £10, and Friday Rush releases discounted tickets online each week.
- What is the nearest station to the Royal Opera House?
- Covent Garden station is about a 2-minute walk; Leicester Square and Holborn are also close.
More London Theatres & Concert Halls
Shakespeare's Globe
A faithful reconstruction of the open-air playhouse where Shakespeare's company performed, staging his plays the way Elizabethan audiences saw them, with standing tickets in the yard.
National Theatre
Britain's flagship public theatre on the South Bank, running three stages of new writing, classics and family shows, with free foyer events and riverside bars.
Barbican Centre
Europe's largest multi-arts centre, home of the London Symphony Orchestra, with a concert hall, theatres, cinemas, art galleries and a tropical conservatory in a brutalist landmark.