Theaters are very different: world famous, legends of one town, one-day ones, beloved for all time and yearning for former greatness. But, you must admit, there are few among them that fans of theater-goers from all over the world would strive for. We want to tell you a little interesting about such a sample. About the Royal Covent Garden Theater.
Nice to meet you, Covent Garden!
Theater Covent Garden is loved not only by its compatriots. In what country is the Covent Garden Theater, not only notorious art fans know. The English Royal Ballet and Opera are world famous. The theater is located in London, at the address: 7 Bow Street, WC2E 9DD.
Covent Garden is a platform for both opera and ballet performances. It is here that the Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera perform. It got its name simply - by the name of the district where it is located.
The theater cannot boast of impressive size: it is designed for 2268 visitors; the width of his stage is 12.2 m, and the height above it is 14.8 m. He is famous for the other - the history, the stars that shone here, the audience, immortal works that forever remain in memory. The patron of the Royal Opera is the Prince of Wales, and the Queen of Great Britain herself is the patron of the Royal Ballet.
Not everyone knows that three buildings had the honor of being called Covent Garden Theater. Let's touch on their stories.
First theater
The initiator to build the future building of the Royal Covent Garden Theater on the site of the park was impresario and director D. Rich. Construction was carried out at the junction of the 1720-1730s. The theater opened on December 7, 1732 with the play “Do It in the World” based on the work of W. Kongriv.
In 1734 the first ballet was shown - it turned out to be Pygmalion. He was remembered by the fact that the dancer Maria Salle, who performed the main part, took to the stage, contrary to tradition, without a corset.
From the end of 1734 operas began to be staged - the first was the work of G. F. Handel "Faithful Shepherd." Then on stage was presented his own oratorio. Since then, the performance of such works during Lent has become a tradition of the Covent Garden Theater.
For almost a century, he was one of two (the second was Drury Lane) in London's drama theaters . The reason for this "diversity" is that in 1660, Charles II allowed drama performances in only two theaters of the capital.
The history of the building was cut short in 1808 - it was destroyed by fire.
Second theater
The new refuge of the Covent Garden Theater was erected in 1809; the author of the project was R. Smerk. On September 18 of the same year, the Macbeth performance opened it. The cost of construction cost the administration a pretty penny, which is why it was decided to compensate for it by increasing the cost of tickets. In response to this, a respected audience thwarted the play of actors by whistling, stomping, screaming for 2 months! The “war” ended with the price of tickets being reduced to the previous one.
The repertoire of the Covent Garden Theater in London throughout the first half of the Golden Age was very diverse: operas, ballets, dramas, including with the participation of the tragedians S. Siddons and E. Keane, pantomime and even clowning with D. Grimaldi. But in 1846, due to the conflict at the Royal Theater on Haymarket in Covent Garden, most of his opera company with M. Costa settled. As a result, the hall was reconstructed so that in early April 1847 it opened under the guise of the Royal Italian Opera. The premiere was Rossirami's Semiramis.
Nine years later, a fire destroyed the Covent Garden Theater for the second time.
Third theater
The construction of the third theater, which has reached our times, was carried out in 1856-1857. The architect was E. Barry. The opera "Huguenots" by Meyerbeer opened it in 1858.
It is known that during the First World War the majestic theater was a warehouse, and during the Second World War there was a dance floor. The revival began in 1945. The Ninet de Valois troupe was announced as a national ballet, which was ordered to move from Sadlers Wells here.
In the winter of 1946, the theater was opened by Sleeping Beauty, the famous ballet of P. I. Tchaikovsky (staged by O. Messel). Next, it was up to the creation of an opera company. In January 1947, she performed the opera Carmen by Bizet. Since then it was again possible to talk about the Royal Opera House Covent Garden.
Theater today
Thus, today in front of us is already the third building of Covent Garden. It managed to survive two reconstructions - in 1975 and 1990. Their goal is to improve the appearance, increase the number of seats. Also during these updates, the territory of the old market and the Flower Hall moved to the theater. Two different design entrances were also decorated, which symbolize different eras in the fate of Covent Garden.
Today, the proscenium of the theater is 12 meters wide and about 15 meters high. The hall is designed as a horseshoe with four levels. This innovation allows you to comfortably accommodate more than 2200 viewers. Office, rehearsal rooms, studio were also reconstructed, new acoustic equipment was installed. A scoreboard with captions is set above the front of the stage, and an LCD screen is mounted in the stalls on the backs of some seats where the libretto of the productions is broadcast.
The average ticket price for a performance is £ 185. In addition to theatrical performances, another type of cultural leisure is organized here - excursions. During them, you can see Covent Garden from the highest point, get behind the curtains and find out how the preparations for the evening performance are going, get into the Royal rest room, still visited by monarchs.
In recent years, the theater has pleased viewers with up to 150 productions in one season! The most famous - "Carmen" Bizet, "Tosca" Puccini, "Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk" by D. Shostakovich. The parties were performed by famous Italian, Russian, German, Argentinean voices - R. Fleming, P. Domingo, H. Kura, C. Bartoli, J. Kaufmann, A. Netrebko.
Contemporary repertoire
Today’s repertoire of the theater is immortal works:
- "Sleeping Beauty".
- Giselle.
- Turandot.
- "Don Juan".
- "Manon."
- "Winter's Tale."
- Faust
- "La Traviata."
- "A woman without a shadow."
- "Daughter of the regiment."
Covent Garden, the Royal Theater of Ballet and Opera, three times rebuilt, is known worldwide for its high-profile premieres, for its troupe. The invited world-class artists sparkle here as well. If fate brings you to London, we advise you not to deprive Covent Garden of your attention: go to an immortal classical production or take a guided tour.