Royal Opera House, Opera house in Covent Garden, United Kingdom.
The Royal Opera House sits in Covent Garden and holds a large auditorium with four tiers and a gallery for a total of 2,255 seats. The surrounding areas include rehearsal rooms, costume workshops, and technical facilities that are accessible during guided visits.
The first theatre at this location opened in 1732 and experienced several fires throughout its history. The present building was designed by Edward Middleton Barry and began operations in 1858.
The building takes its name from the British monarchy and remains one of Europe's leading stages for opera and ballet. Visitors can experience the atmosphere of an evening when audiences gather in formal dress and performances continue a centuries-old tradition.
Tours take place during daytime and provide access to areas behind the stage and workshops. Most performances occur in the evening, so an afternoon visit allows for a calmer exploration.
The Paul Hamlyn Hall was built in 1860 as the Floral Hall and now serves as a glass-covered dining area. Guests can sometimes watch rehearsals taking place in adjacent rooms from there.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
