Guide to the Royal Opera House Summer Season 2012/13
Helpful links and information on booking for forthcoming performances.
Booking days
- Premium 2 Friends: 26 February
- Premium 1 Friends: 27 February
- Supporting Friends: 1 March
- Friends of Covent Garden – Ballet: 12 March
- Friends of Covent Garden – Opera: 13 March
- Public Booking: 9 April
View our Summer Season Seating Plan (PDF 1MB).
Details of our Advanced Summer Packages:
- Summer Advance Booking Packages (PDF) – Premium 2 Friends (26 February), Premium 1 Friends (27 February), Supporting Friends (1 March), Other Friends (5 March)
- Summer Advance Booking Packages (PDF) – General booking (5 April)
Opera
The Importance of Being Earnest by Gerald Barry (Linbury Studio Theatre)
Dir: Ramin Gray
14 June – 22 June
Lively and inventive, the score includes everything from smashing plates to megaphones, and Ramin Gray’s production promises to be just as imaginative as the music.
Simon Boccanegra by Guiseppe Verdi (Main Stage)
Dir: Elijah Moshinsky
27 June – 16 July
‘Renowned baritone Thomas Hampson will perform as the Doge of Genoa in one of Verdi’s most compelling works, a role he recently performed to acclaim with Chicago’s Lyric Opera.
Jette Parker Young Artists Summer Performance
Dir: Pedro Ribeiro
30 June
Featuring scenes from 2012/13 Season productions.
Tosca by Giacomo Puccini (Main Stage)
Dir: Jonathan Kent
2 March – 20 July
Drama and passion combine in this turbulent production of Puccini’s classic, set in 19th-century Rome.
La rondine by Giacomo Puccini (Main Stage)
Dir: Nicolas Joël
5 July – 21 July
A sumptuous production with sensational sets, it will bring the glamour of 1920s Paris to the main stage.
The Canticles by Benjamin Britten (Linbury Studio Theatre)
Dir: Neil Bartlett
10 July – 12 July
Five miniature musical gems, The Canticles are the perfect demonstration of Britten’s talent as an opera composer.
Capriccio in Concert by Richard Strauss (Main Stage)
19 July – 21 July
Featuring universally acclaimed soprano Renée Fleming.
Ballet
Mayerling (Main Stage)
19 April – 15 June
Adult drama meets sublime choreography in Kenneth MacMillan’s masterpiece. A story of passion and madness based on historical fact.
Hansel and Gretel (Linbury Studio Theatre)
8 May – 11 May
Artist-in-Residence Liam Scarlett presents his first full-length work in the Linbury, a dark re-telling of the Grimm Brothers’ classic fairytale.
Witch Hunt (Linbury Studio Theatre)
22 May – 25 May
Cathy Marston brings a new full-length work to the Linbury with Bern: Ballet. Based on the harrowing tale of Anna Göldi, the ‘last witch in Europe’, it promises to be a powerful piece.
Mixed Programme: Raven Girl/Symphony in C (Main Stage)
24 May – 8 June
George Balanchine’s masterpiece Symphony in C will be performed alongside Raven Girl, a brand new work by The Royal Ballet’s Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor, created in collaboration with award-winning author Audrey Niffenegger.
Blood (Linbury Studio Theatre)
27 June & 28 June
Choreographer/dancer Jean Abreu explores the raw experience of being alive through a multimedia production that draws on images by acclaimed artists Gilbert & George. The score is by Paul Wolinski of 65daysofstatic.
Royal Ballet School Summer Performance (Main Stage)
14 July
From students as young as 11 to graduates, dancers from the Royal Ballet School take to the main stage to showcase the breadth of talent.
Throughout July and August, the Bolshoi Ballet will also be performing in Covent Garden. Find out more about the Bolshoi’s residency.
To accompany the productions on-stage, Royal Opera House Restaurants are providing menus tailored specially for each production. Find out more closer to the time in our Restaurants and Bars section.
Congratulation to ROH - the Friends booking yesterday was faultless - at least for me it was and I hope for everyone else. Took a little time to get there but you got there in the end. Bravo.
A most unhelpful article. I scrolled down the Ballet section to check dates for 'Mayerling' and there was not a single mention of it. In fact the ballets that were mentioned were mostly for other venues - really appropriate for a ROH website.
Dear Susan
Mayerling first appears in our Spring Season and can be found there: http://www.roh.org.uk/news/guide-to-the-royal-opera-house-spring-season-201213. Here is the page for Mayerling if you still need it: http://www.roh.org.uk/productions/mayerling-by-kenneth-macmillan
Best wishes
Ellen
Quite helpful for the summer events toknow.
But what about September programms?
We shall be in the Uk in September and would like to book
well in advance. Please help.
Thanks
Your's
Gerit Hidding (Mrs.)
Dear Mrs Hidding
Here are the details of our Autumn Season for 2013/14:
http://www.roh.org.uk/news/autumn-season-201314
Best wishes
Ellen
No Michael Tippett . . . again!
I will be in London from 22-25th August but I couldn't find anything advertised at t he ROH on these dates. I will be staying nearby and am particularly interested in ballet. I am coming from Australia.
With thanks,
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth,
We're afraid we're closed for our Summer break during this time. Sorry!
Chris
Digital Content Producer
we'll be in town sept 10 - 16 2013 are there any events that week?
Turandot and Le nozze di Figaro will both be on, but general booking opens 9 July:
http://www.roh.org.uk/events/calendar/2013/09
Best
Ellen
i think your website could be easier to use - to find out what is on and when - as opposed to a lot of discussion
We will be in London Aug 5-7, and I am looking for ballet performances. Can you tell me if there will be anything?
Hi Michelle
The Royal Ballet will be on tour in August, but The Bolshoi Ballet will be performing The Sleeping Beauty at the ROH on the dates that you mention:
http://www.roh.org.uk/about/bolshoi
Best wishes
Ellen
Is there no performance during the second part of August?
Hi Lyuba.
We're closed for our short summer break before opening again in September.
Thanks,
Chris
Digital Content Producer