The Royal Opera House is a theater of world renown in the heart of London, where the troupes of the Royal Opera and the Royal Ballet often grace the stage. With its six imposing columns and strong pediment, the current 19th-century building is a wonder to behold. Take a look around the structure for free in the afternoon for a sense of its majesty.
Today’s theater stems from tumultuous origins, this being the building’s third incarnation. Fires in 1808 and 1856 destroyed the formers sites, the first of which was constructed in 1732.
Book a guided tour in advance for a detailed understanding of the opera house, its history and its shows. Stop for lunch or hot drinks and snacks at the Amphitheatre Restaurant. Its terrace offers an excellent vista of the Covent Garden Piazza.
Ballet and opera are among the upscale events that regularly take place here. Listen to the collective sound of the myriad performers that make up the Royal Opera House Orchestra. Red seats pack the auditorium, which is flanked by golden balconies and a flurry of lights. Its main gallery and four tiers of balconies and boxes combine to seat 2,256 people.
Browse the array of items on sale at the Royal Opera House Shop, where you’ll find DVD box sets, books and recordings relating to the opera. Inspect the Young Dancer statue by Italian-born sculptor Enzo Plazzotta in front of the theater’s majestic façade. It depicts a ballerina preparing to dance.
Book tickets Monday through Saturday from morning to evening at the box office near the main building.
Find the Royal Opera House in the Covent Garden area, a little west of central London. Arrive at the Covent Garden stop of the London Underground and walk east for a few minutes to get here. See other nearby attractions such as the London Film Museum, the Lyceum Theatre and the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
