Royal Opera House Research Articles

Opera at Covent Garden

The Trustees of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, have issued a statement outlining their future plans, particularly with regard to opera. In the résumé given below the remarks in brackets should be read as Editorial comment.

Re-Opening of Covent Garden

In September 1944, Mr. Leslie A. Boosey contributed an article to this journal on the subject of the Covent Garden Royal Opera House, announcing the acquisition of the lease of the building by Boosey & Hawkes, Ltd., and indicating that a scheme was to be explored whereby the theatre might resume its original function as the home of British operatic activities on the grand scale. Although warning was given at the time that early developments should not be expected, more than one rather impatient letter has reached us, and comment has been heard here and there, indicating, shall we say, a polite disbelief in the possibility of any such scheme coming to fruition.

Strauss's 'Elektra.' Produced at Royal Opera House, Dresden

Strauss's 'Elektra.' Produced at Royal Opera House, Dresden

Annals of Covent Garden Theatre, from 1732 to 1897

Commissioned by the enterprising actor-manager John Rich, Covent Garden's Theatre Royal first opened its doors in December 1732. Principally a playhouse during its first century, the venue has had an eventful history involving two disastrous fires and riots over ticket prices. Most notably, it hosted Handel's incomparable operas and oratorios, and was where he presented regular seasons from 1735 until his death in 1759. Not until 1847, under Michael Costa, did the theatre dedicate itself to opera, and in 1892 it received the name by which it is known today: the Royal Opera House. Secretary of the Guildhall School of Music from 1901 to 1935, Henry Saxe Wyndham (1867–1940) published this richly illustrated two-volume account in 1906, celebrating the venue's legendary personalities and productions. Volume 1 covers the period 1732 to 1819 and includes discussion of John Rich, John Philip Kemble, Sarah Siddons, and Handel's operas.