The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London, is famous for its traditional and innovative ballet and opera.

The Royal Opera House, built in 1732, stands on the Covent Garden square. In 1734, the first ballet was performed, and a year later, Handel presented his first season of operas. Many of theses were written for Covent Garden and debuted here. It was here that the piano was performed in public for the first time in 1767, and in 1837 the manager William Macready pioneered the use of limelight in theatre.

The building is now home to the companies of the Royal Opera and the Royal Ballet.

Royal Opera House

Bow St, London WC2E 9DD