Opus Arte

The first opera of 2011 at the Royal Opera House is Il barbiere di Siviglia, the barber of Seville, a deft comedy from the pen of Rossini. It is performed here by a young cast, endeavouring to capture the playfulness and witty touches of this Italian opera from 1816...

© Peter Suranyi (8/8/2009)

^{© Peter Suranyi (8/8/2009)}

6 April 1847 – the Royal Italian Opera house was unveiled in Covent Garden with a performance of Rossini’s Semiramide. The Theatre Royal had existed on the location since 1728, but had been destroyed by fire in 1808 – a serious concern for entertainment spaces in those pre-electricity days. The new building transferred ballet and opera from the Haymarket, beginning the Royal Opera House’s affiliation with Covent Garden that continues to this day.