Royal Opera House

The Covent Garden Theatre, the original theatre on the site, was opened (1732) by John Rich and served for plays, pantomimes, and opera. In 1847 it became the Royal Italian Opera House under the noted conductor Michael Costa and, later, Frederick Gye. The Royal Italian Opera failed in 1884 and was replaced in 1888 by what came to be called the Royal Opera Company under Augustus Harris and, later, Maurice Grau; the repertoire was largely Italian opera.

It is located in Covent Garden, City of Westminster, London.

Closed again during World War II, the house reopened in 1946. The Sadler's Wells Ballet (founded 1931; later the Royal Ballet) moved to the theatre at that time. The building itself, which continues to serve the Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera, was greatly augmented by a southward extension in the 1980s.

The building itself, which continues to serve the Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera, was greatly augmented by a southward extension in the 1980s.

The Covent Garden Theatre, the original theatre on the site, was opened (1732) by John Rich and served for plays, pantomimes, and opera. In 1847 it became the Royal Italian Opera House under the noted conductor Michael Costa and, later, Frederick Gye. The Royal Italian Opera failed in 1884 and was replaced in 1888 by what came to be called the Royal Opera Company under Augustus Harris and, later, Maurice Grau; the repertoire was largely Italian opera.