How The Royal Opera has kept opera looking forward for more than three hundred years
25 May 2017
The ROH has been home to major opera premieres dating all the way back to our first resident composer Handel – as material from ROH Collections shows.
Angels, devils, fools and women: exploring the role of the countertenor
24 January 2017
Under-appreciated for centuries, the countertenor now storms the operatic stage.
10 of opera's greatest mezzo-soprano roles
19 December 2016
Carmen isn’t the only sensual starring mezzo role – we round up some of our favourites, from Donizetti to Birtwistle.
Verdi and the rise of the mezzo-soprano
13 June 2016
With distinctive warm tones and a wide vocal range, Verdi realized the mezzo's potential - with exciting consequences.
Irresistible stories: Myth and art
22 June 2015
Fantastical stories thousands of years old continue to influence today’s most prominent artists.
Birtwistle and the Greeks
16 June 2015
Greek myths and dramas have inspired the acclaimed British composer Harrison Birtwistle throughout his career.
Happy birthday Harrison Birtwistle!
14 July 2014
The composer, who celebrates his 80th birthday on 15 July, has a long relationship with The Royal Opera.
Drama Revisited: Classical myths in opera
23 September 2013
As The Royal Opera revives Elektra, we explore other examples of legends on the lyric stage.
Discover Harrison Birtwistle's soundworld
12 August 2013
Following Birtwistle's the UK premiere of Moth Requiem at the BBC Proms, a look at how the composer creates his signature sounds.
ROH 2012/13 Season in review
22 July 2013
We asked our social media following for their favourite productions of the Season. What were yours?