Throughout the month of October we will present live-streamed performances featuring artists from both The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera, alongside a range of archival content and dedicated social media takeovers from our global community of Black creatives and performers.

The Knife of Dawn

October 22 – 24

The Knife of Dawn will be streamed for free on the ROH YouTube channel from 7pm on 22 October until 24 October 2021 to celebrate the anniversary of its Royal Opera House premiere. This free stream is presented as part of the Royal Opera House’s celebrations for Black History Month 2021. Hannah Kendall’s impactful chamber opera retells the story of Guyanese political activist Martin Carter on hunger strike in 1953, having been incarcerated without charge. The Knife of Dawn’s libretto by Tessa McWatt is based on Carter’s own powerful poetry, as he sought independence for British Guyana.

More information here: https://www.roh.org.uk/black-history-month
Free
Insights: Storytelling in Opera

Available until November 12

This event will be streamed for free on YouTube at 7.30pm on 13 October 2021 as part of the Royal Opera House’s Black History Month celebrations.

The Royal Opera House presents Storytelling in opera, a live panel discussion curated by Peter Brathwaite – acclaimed baritone and prominent advocate for equity, inclusion, and restorative justice in the arts. This free digital event, supporting Black History Month 2021, seeks to explore how the theatre industry can move towards more embedded representation on its stages through the stories told, the people who perform them, where they are performed and why. This event invites artists and audiences to join us live online as guests from across the industry: baritone Peter Brathwaite, the Bush Theatre’s Wabriya King, celebrated US tenor Lawrence Brownlee, Royal Opera House producer Rachel Caccia and champion of the arts Brenda Emmanus OBE, as they address our duty of care and the future of our art forms

Booking available here: https://www.roh.org.uk/black-history-month
Stream: Figure 5

Marcelino Sambé, principal dancer at The Royal Ballet, reflects on his journey and where ballet needs to go on a visit to his home country of Portugal.

Available to view here: https://www.roh.org.uk/black-history-month
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Royal Opera House

Stages and Cells of Covent Garden

October 25-30

Join us to explore the haunted history of Covent Garden this October. Discover some theatre ghosts of the past and the Bow Street they would have known. Bow Street Police Station and the Royal Opera House have stood on Bow Street for centuries. They are now coming together to tell the stories of some of Bow Street’s more famous ghosts through tales of Covent Garden hauntings, theatrical traditions, and the ghost of an actor who misses his favourite bakery.

Tickets £20
Booking at www.roh.org.uk
ROH Late

November 14

Join us for an extravagant evening of drag, cabaret, DJ sets and dance. The night will blend the classic and contemporary, celebrating queer identity and culture. Enjoy the Royal Opera House as you’ve never experienced it before. Go to the cabaret bar for cocktails in our transformed Linbury Foyer, or head to the Crush Room turned nightclub for vogueing, go-go dancing and a stunning set by DJ Zohar.

Tickets £10
Booking at www.roh.org.uk
Recitals at Lunchtime

Until November 29

Experience an exciting programme of music in the opulent setting of the historic Royal Opera House Crush Room, and nearby St Clement Danes.

Next performance – Honghi Wu (Mezzo Soprano) and Patrick Milne (Piano)
Tickets £16
Booking at www.roh.org.uk
Dance with the Royal Ballet

Until November 26

Participate in a workshop led by a member of The Royal Ballet Company. Gain an active insight into the repertory of The Royal Ballet by learning steps and creatively exploring the choreography.

Tickets £10
Booking at www.roh.org.uk
Live at Lunch

Until November 26

Experience an exciting programme of free lunchtime performances inspired by the heritage of the Royal Opera House and its operas and ballets. Artists from The Royal Opera, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, The Royal Ballet and a range of guest artists perform in the newly opened-up spaces of the Royal Opera House.

Next performance: Ballet Black on October 8
Free entry. No booking required.
Dates and times at www.roh.org.uk
Pride of the Royal Opera House Tour

Until November 14

From pioneering composers and choreographers to gender-fluid performances throughout our history. Join us as we explore queer themes, productions, and the rich contributions to the music and theatre made by the LGBTQ+ icons who have helped shape the Royal Opera House. As the Royal Opera House is a fully working theatre, each tour is a unique experience and varies according to what is available on the day.

Tickets £16
Tour is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes
Booking at www.roh.org.uk
ROH Tour

Until January 7

Our ROH Tour provides an exciting overview of this stunning building. You will explore our beautiful front of house spaces, learn some little-known facts about us and gain a special insight into the colourful history of the theatre. Learn about the state-of-the-art technology we employ and explore all aspects of current opera and ballet productions.

Tickets £16
Tour is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes
Booking at www.roh.org.uk
Velvet, Gilt and Glamour Tour

Until December 16

Whenever visitors see the historic auditorium of the Royal Opera House for the first time, it always amazes them. Built in 1858 after the previous theatre burnt down, its splendid period character has been wonderfully preserved ever since.

There are the rich red curtains of the stage, the stunning ceiling (which now hides very modern technology), the glittering gold of the proscenium arch, and the red and gold lights which replaced the old gas lamps! And enveloping it all is the historic atmosphere of a great world theatre alongside a dynamic working theatre of today.

Now visitors can enjoy a special tour of the auditorium that focuses on the architecture and the story of the current theatre. Hear stories of the famous opera singers who have taken centre stage. See the Royal Retiring Room, still used by our Royal Patrons today.

Tickets £16
Tour is approximately 1 hour
Booking at www.roh.org.uk
Family Sundays

Until November 28

Family Sundays are a regular event for families to come and explore the Royal Opera House, its artists and the world of opera and ballet. Each Family Sunday will be packed with creative and practical activities for all the family, with space to relax and enjoy live music in an informal setting.

General Tickets £10, Under 18s Tickets £8
Booking at www.roh.org.uk
Sing at the Royal Opera House

Until October 29

All ages and abilities are welcome to join in and sing in an opera chorus. Bring your friends, family and colleagues and explore some of the world’s biggest tunes in a fun and lively atmosphere at the home of The Royal Opera.

Tickets £10
Booking at www.roh.org.uk