Piece of cake: The Royal Ballet’s Taglioni Cake cutting ceremony
24 July 2017
This charming annual ceremony celebrates the end of The Royal Ballet’s Season while paying tribute to one of history’s most iconic ballet dancers.
Why did Schlesinger’s production of Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann hog the headlines?
28 November 2016
Sex scenes, scandal and sensational headlines: the ROH Collections team delve into the archives to uncover the buzz around this iconic production, 36 years on from its premiere.
Just the ticket! The surprising history of ticketing at the Royal Opera House
1 June 2016
As the Royal Opera House ushers in the newest innovation in ticketing, ROH Collections looks back to the earliest theatre tickets used at Covent Garden.
A glimpse into the archives: The surprising history of Shakespeare at the Royal Opera House
22 April 2016
Many years before the RSC was established and Shakespeare's Globe was rebuilt, the Royal Opera House was an important hub for the Bard's work in London.
From the archives: The 1856 Covent Garden Fire
4 March 2016
160 years ago this weekend, a fire destroyed the Royal Italian Opera and led to the building of the current Royal Opera House.
Iced Gems: Remembering the Royal Opera House’s indoor ice-skating rink
19 January 2016
In the 1930s, long before on-ice theatre adaptations became an arena staple, the ROH had its own skating rink.
Oh yes it is!: The surprising history of pantomime at the Royal Opera House
16 December 2015
Our seasonal Item of the Month from ROH Collections shows the rich (and surprising) history of the Christmas panto at the ROH.
ROH Collections Item of the Month: The Attilio Comelli Design Collection
19 November 2015
This extensive and beautiful collection from a pioneer of opera costume design gives an invaluable insight into the history of stagewear.
ROH Collections Items of the Month: Highlights from the Costume Collection
28 October 2015
We've picked two of our favourite opera items from the collection's 6,200 artefacts — shoes worn by Adelina Patti and Cecil Beaton’s iconic Turandot dress.
ROH Collections Item of the Month: The historic costumes for MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet
25 September 2015
Fifty years after the ballet had its premiere, we take a look at the beautiful costumes for MacMillan’s iconic ballet.