Your reaction: Our Extraordinary World Gala

What the audience thought of the recent gala in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

By Chris Shipman (Online Content Producer (Social Media and News))

31 October 2012 at 4.37pm | Comment on this article

The Queen arrives at the Royal Opera House before the Our Extraordinary World Gala © Sim Canetty-Clarke/ROH 2012

View the story "Your reaction: Our Extraordinary World Gala" on StorifyYour reaction: Our Extraordinary World GalaWhat the audience thought of the recent gala in honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrating the work of both The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera.Storified by Royal Opera House · Thu, Nov 01 2012 02:56:14We asked a few audience members what they thought…Audience members Amy and Amy Rice at the Our Extraordinary World Gala © Chris Shipman/ROHRoyal Opera House Covent GardenAmy Rice (pictured with her friend, also called Amy):

“I first came to the Royal Opera House after I moved over from America as a student, say 12 years ago. It was only last year though, that I thought, ‘Yes, I’m really going to get into this!’. So I’ve come to more operas and ballets than ever before; tonight I am here, but this week I’m also watching The Ring. It’s just incredible seeing and hearing such great performances; a completely unique experience.”

Audience member Mary Boyall at the Our Extraordinary World Gala © Chris Shipman/ROHRoyal Opera House Covent Garden

Mary Boyall:

“I’ve been coming to Covent Garden for over 30 years, and I’m a devotee to both ballet and opera! Tonight will be wonderful – how could it not be, with Angela singing Song to the Moon and Bryn’s Mefistofele? Normally I come here with my son, who joins me from work. I remember bringing my husband to see Sylvie Guillem and each time she extended her leg above her head, he winced next to me! We feel totally comfortable at the house; at home you might say.”

Audience members Dr Michael and Mary Carey at the Our Extraordinary World Gala © Chris Shipman/ROHRoyal Opera House Covent Garden

Dr Michael and Mary Carey:

“It’s been a gradual falling in love with Covent Garden for us; we came to our first ballet nine years ago, The Sleeping Beauty, and now we come to pretty much every ballet. We have been to one opera before, but it’s the ballet and the dancers we like to follow; Edward Watson is a particular favourite, and very suitable that he, as a British dancer, should be up dancing first in front of the Queen.”

Audience members Lizzie, Daphne and Allie Duthie at the Our Extraordinary World Gala © Chris Shipman/ROHRoyal Opera House Covent GardenAllie and Lizzie Duthie, with their mum, Daphne Duthie:

“Mum has been bringing us here since we were 4 and 5, and in the old house we used to know all the staff; the doormen, cloakroom assistants and backstage tour team. It’s great to keep coming, now in our own right, and I suppose we’ve become ballet buffs. We’ve also been on countless backstage tours over the years – it’s a great insight into what happens behind the scenes.We are really looking forward to seeing Ed Watson dance with Natalia Osipova tonight, and of course Thiago and Marienela together.”

Audience members Peter and Mary Brimelow at the Our Extraordinary World Gala © Chris Shipman/ROHRoyal Opera House Covent GardenPeter and Mary Brimelow:

We’ve been coming since the 1960s and Mary first came here as a schoolgirl in 1947. The first performance we saw here was La Fille mal gardée which friends brought us to and we were hooked! We were fortunate enough to see Nureyev and Fonteyn many times over the years. This gala is fantastic as it gives the opportunity to see so many greats on one stage.”

Audience members Mark Perkins, Jo Perkins and Dave Wilson at the Our Extraordinary World Gala © Chris Shipman/ROHRoyal Opera House Covent GardenMark Perkins, Jo Perkins and Dave Wilson:

“Rather than any one thing or person, the gala shows the huge levels of contribution from everyone involved; the corps de ballet, the orchestra, the chorus and backstage. It certainly feels like a special evening, and how wonderful that the Queen was part of the audience.The highlight for us was Wayne McGregor’s piece and as younger audience members we’re delighted to see Kasper and Kevin at the helm of such a vibrant organisation and group of artists, taking it forward in really exciting ways.”

Kevin O’Hare and Kasper Holten at the Our Extraordinary World Gala © Chris Shipman/ROHRoyal Opera House Covent GardenKasper Holten:

“It was hard work, but also great fun putting together the gala with Kevin. We wanted the gala to be a celebration of all the people who make ROH special. Not just the stars, but all the incredible and passionate people working backstage. I was also keen to make it more visually interesting than galas can sometimes be, and I was really proud of the result.”

Kevin O’Hare:
“I was thrilled that the evening turned out exactly how Kasper and I had hoped, in that it was a true celebration of everyone who works across this house. It is such a great feeling when everyone is pulling together for one special event and is happy to go that extra mile to make it work. To have HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh made a fantastic night even more special…here’s to the next one!”

A few of your tweets…Loved #ROHgala tonight. So much great dance & opera. Very happy to see Neumeier performed in uk & never been so close to the queen before!Robert BinetAfter the Rain is Wheeldon at his most soulful and haunting. Marianela Nunez and Thiago Soares have never been more beautiful. #ROHgalaLeena HassanBryn Terfel’s Son lo spirito che nega’s whistling is still ringing in my ears from last night’s #ROHGala #MightHaveTinnitus #TotallyWorthItHuman Soup@RoyalOperaHouse #ROHgala . It was a lovely evening – but why so many Pas de Deux? Corps de Ballet under-used. The Ravel wonderful.Paddy BriggsWonderful #ROHgala thus far. Really appreciate that Tony Hall has ignored the standard gala fare for new work and lesser known classics.Leena Hassan@royaloperahouse Please, please, please bring back Winter Dreams very soon. #ROHgalaJSPLast #ROHgala tweet – this was a night to remember. The @RoyalOperaHouse truly is an Extraordinary World! Bravo to all involved!DaveTriesBalletOperatic highlight of #ROHgala was @Bryn_Terfel’s Geist der stets verneint. Go on @Queen_UK he deserves a knighthood for the whistling aloneKaren McLernonWhat did you think of the Our Extraordinary World Gala?