Opera at Covent Garden

Abstract

During the first season of opera in English at Covent Garden since the war, six works have been produced. Opera has alternated with ballet in the repertory, and the theatre has been open for a longer consecutive period of time than ever before in its history. Thus the initial stage in the immensely ambitious plan with which the Covent Garden Opera Trust is charged, has been accomplished. Properly to evaluate the worth of what has been done so far, it is important to look at it in relation to what is ultimately intended. This, it will be remembered, is the establishment of opera in England on a secure and lasting basis; not as an exotic luxury, imported from time to time for the benefit of a fortunate minority; but as a normal amenity of civilized life, a school in which all who wish to do so may learn discrimination. To say that there was no tradition of opera in this country would be an exaggeration. But the tradition is a very weak one, and from this aspect the Trust had few initial assets other than a glorious opera house, the living recollection of some great performances, and the knowledge that people in England were hungry for music.