Philanthropic engagement
By making a philanthropic gift to the Royal Opera House you will be providing vital support for our work, helping us to secure the future of ballet, opera, dance and music. Find out more below about the unique ways you can be involved.
Your gift will support our community of artists, freelancers, craftspeople and theatre workers. We are delighted that post covid, our community is back together and we have made a triumphant return to the stage. However, the 2020/21 Season was one of the most challenging in the Royal Opera House’s history with extended periods of closure greatly affecting our box office income. We will continue to feel the financial impact of the pandemic for many years to come, in addition to facing new challenges posed by the turbulent economic climate. By supporting the Royal Opera House you will be playing an important role in ensuring that we can continue to perform the opera and ballet you love.
We warmly invite our philanthropists to get closer to the work and artists of the Royal Opera House and deepen their knowledge of the art forms by joining us for special events throughout the Season*, featuring our artistic leadership team and some of the brightest stars from the worlds of opera and ballet.
We also welcome the opportunity to discuss more bespoke levels of involvement.
*Events are subject to change. The safety of our artists, staff and audiences continues to be our main priority.
Maestro’s Circle
The Maestro’s Circle is a unique philanthropic initiative for music lovers who would like to deepen their knowledge of the extraordinary work of the conductor and Royal Opera Music Director, Maestro Antonio Pappano.
This Season, we celebrate Maestro Pappano’s 20th year as Music Director. Supporters will be invited to a series of events in his company, including access to private rehearsals, coaching sessions with young artists, and an evening around a performance.
We invite philanthropic gifts to support this intimate programme of involvement as part of the circle that celebrates the work of this pre-eminent artist at Covent Garden.
Fonteyn Circle
The Fonteyn Circle offers philanthropic ballet lovers the opportunity to support and become more closely involved in the work of The Royal Ballet.
Becoming part of the circle means insights into the life of the Company via invitations to private stage rehearsals, 'in conversation' events with members of the Company, meeting the creatives behind new works, an evening around a performance, as well as becoming part of a community of ballet supporters who are immersed in the life of The Royal Ballet.
We invite philanthropic gifts to support The Royal Ballet. In the 2022/23 Season your gift will support Kenneth MacMillan's masterpiece, Mayerling. In acknowledgement of your generosity, we look forward to involving you in the life and work of The Royal Ballet.
Wagner Circle
The Wagner Circle is a philanthropic initiative that brings together Wagner lovers for a series of events each Season. With exclusive insights into his work, involvement in the circle serves to deepen our knowledge and enjoyment of one of the most significant figures in the world of opera.
Supporters will be offered a unique programme of involvement which includes rehearsals, masterclasses, discussions, and an evening around a performance of Tannhäuser.
Contemporary Music Circle
The Contemporary Music Circle is a philanthropic initiative for individuals who are interested in gaining a deeper insight into the inspiration, techniques and experiences of composers writing for opera and ballet.
With a wealth of new music featuring on both the Main Stage and the Linbury Theatre this Season, supporters of the Contemporary Music Circle will enjoy close involvement with some of the leading composers working in opera and ballet today. Support will be directed towards the UK premiere of Kaija Saariaho’s opera Innocence, which was first performed at the 2021 Festival Aix-en-Provence. As well as this work, the programme of events will reveal the inspiration and process behind a new score by Bushra El-Turk (Woman at Point Zero). We invite philanthropic gifts to support the Contemporary Music Circle.
Rehearsal series
A new philanthropic initiative, the Rehearsal Series gives a special opportunity to witness the making of a magical production. The Royal Opera House is proud to invite you to its most intimate and exclusive rehearsals, which includes access to new productions and much-loved classics.
In gratitude of your generous support, the Rehearsal Series enables you and fellow supporters, to gain access to the exclusive behind-the-scenes process that takes our productions from rehearsals to opening night. With a range of Sitzprobe, Stage and Piano, Stage and Orchestra, and Orchestra alone rehearsals, this is a wonderful and rewarding way to see our artists at work.
We invite a philanthropic gift to support the Rehearsal Series and for your generosity we will invite you to attend these private rehearsals and events and become a closer part of the Royal Opera House family.
Support a production
Supporting a production is an incredible opportunity to get closer to your favourite ballet or opera, whilst helping us to continue presenting world-class heritage and contemporary works. Through your philanthropy you will enjoy seeing the lifecycle of a production, from the initial conception through to curtain down. You will receive invitations to a specially curated series of events, as well as bespoke opportunities to meet with artists and members of the creative teams and visit our technical departments.
Our Production Syndicates offer groups of likeminded supporters the opportunity to come together and be a part of their favourite production. Syndicate Supporters are invited to attend events such as design and musical insights, conversations with artists, and post-performance celebrations with members of the cast, creative and technical teams, all of whom offer a real insight into how the elements of a production come together. In the 2022/23 Season we will be running Syndicates for the productions listed below:
You can also support a specific role in an opera or ballet. Role Supporters enjoy a tailored programme of involvement around their chosen role, including invitations to watch studio and stage rehearsals as artists prepare for performances.
Young Philanthropists
ROH Young Philanthropists is a philanthropic initiative for young opera and ballet lovers who wish to become more closely involved in the work of The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet.
Supporters enjoy insights into the work of the Royal Opera House and networking opportunities with a community of like-minded individuals. Involvement with the Young Philanthropists includes private access to stage rehearsals, 'in conversation’ events, and celebrations around a performances with members of the cast and creative teams. Our Young Philanthropists programme encourages many to begin their philanthropic journey.
If you would like to know more about this initiative, we would love to talk with you. Gifts may be eligible for Gift Aid or Matched Giving by employers.
American Friends of Covent Garden
If you are based in the USA, or are a USA tax payer, you can join the American Friends of Covent Garden (AFoCG). A not-for-profit organization that raises visibility and provides support for The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet, the AFoCG brings together lovers of opera and ballet – individuals, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, foundations and corporations from across America and around the globe – to enjoy and support the arts, cultural, educational, and Learning and Participation programmes of The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet.
American Friends, Patrons and philanthropists receive a variety of privileges and benefits in acknowledgment of their support and our philanthropic initiatives, above, are also available to those supporting the AFoCG. Through grants awarded to the Royal Opera House three times a year, the AFoCG supports productions, often co-productions with opera houses or ballet companies in several countries. The AFoCG also help make possible educational and outreach programmes to develop the artists who will perform worldwide – in live performances, radio, HD cinema, and online streaming – and their international audiences.
The AFoCG is a 501(c)(3) organisation, so all donations made by US taxpayers are tax-deductible to the full extent provided by the IRS.
You can find more on their dedicated website.
Payments to Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales (Company number 480523) Charity Registered (Number 211775). VAT Registration No. 769 377565.
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales (Company number 480523) Charity Registered (Number 211775)