Today, the Royal Opera House is delighted to announce details of this year’s Schools’ Matinees, bringing world-class ballet and opera to over 10,000 pupils aged 5-18.

Over 260 schools, the majority state-funded, have applied for the programme – which features 6 stunning productions from the Royal Opera House’s first full season since 2019. Applications are still open to secondary schools, and can be made via the website today.

Starting with David McVicar’s spectacular production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute in September, the performances are designed to introduce a younger generation to the best of opera and ballet, forming an integral part of the Royal Opera House’s mission to inspire new audiences and diversify the future of our art forms.

For the first time ever, to celebrate the return of the programme, pupils attending The Magic Flute will be invited to perform with the Royal Opera House’s Orchestra and Chorus, singing parts of the “Pa-Pa-Pa-Papageno” duet shortly before the start of the second act. Conductor Richard Hetherington will lead a rehearsal prior to curtain-up and digital learning resources have also been made available in advance. That night, over 28 schools will be in attendance — including four Special Educational Needs and Disability schools, five schools from our Trailblazer programme in Thurrock, and participants of ROH Design Challenge. Two of those schools will be travelling over 80 miles to attend, supported by travel grants.

Across our 2018/19 season, the last full Schools’ Matinees season, over 270 schools attended performances at the Royal Opera House. 158 of those were from outside London, with almost 60% of the 10,000 attendees coming from schools with a higher-than-average percentage of pupils eligible for free school meals.

Jillian Barker, Director of Learning and Participation, said:

‘We are delighted to be once again welcoming schools to the Royal Opera House, introducing a new generation to the very best of a spectacular new season. Our Schools’ Matinees programme is at the very core of our commitment to widening access to both opera and ballet. It is set to be spectacular.’

Schools’ Matinees are supported by The Taylor Family Foundation and The Gerald and Gail Ronson Family Foundation