On Thursday, May 14, the Royal Ballet and Opera celebrated a significant moment in its rich history by unveiling new stage curtains during a special Gala performance. The event not only marked the first major renewal of the proscenium arch's centerpiece in nearly three decades but also served as a spectacular showcase uniting the resident Companies, the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, and the Royal Opera Chorus.
The new curtains replace the previous set installed in 1997, which were imbued with the traces of tens of thousands of performances by generations of artists. The new commission, made possible by a generous grant from the Julia Rausing Trust, is an investment in the future of the stage that simultaneously honors the organization's heritage.
Created through hundreds of hours of skilled craftsmanship by Gerriets and the Royal School of Needlework, the curtains feature the personal cipher of His Majesty King Charles III, the organization's Patron. This inclusion symbolizes the enduring relationship between the monarchy and the arts.
Curated by Kevin O’Hare and Oliver Mears, the Gala program spanned the history of both Companies, celebrating their shared artistry.
The Royal Ballet highlights included historical repertory and new creations:
A "Lost" Work Restored: Kenneth MacMillan’s Poulenc pas de deux, originally created in 1984 and thought lost, was especially restaged for the Gala following the recent discovery of a video recording.
Premieres: Leading choreographer Akram Khan presented his first work for the Company, Hunting a Whisper in the Wind, featuring Francesca Hayward and Jeffrey Cirio. Additionally, First Soloist Valentino Zucchetti premiered As One, a dynamic showcase set to Karl Jenkins’ Palladio.
Classics: Marianela Nuñez performed the Rose Adage from The Sleeping Beauty, the ballet that famously reopened the Opera House after World War II in 1946.
The Royal Opera and Orchestra program featured an exceptional line-up of artists under Music Director Jakub Hruša:
Operatic Giants: Celebrated artists such as Freddie De Tommaso, Bryn Terfel, and Aigul Akhmetshina paid homage to composers like Puccini, Wagner, and Tchaikovsky.
Orchestral Milestone: The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House celebrated its 80th birthday by performing Dvorák’s Carnival Overture.
The exhilarating evening concluded with a collective performance of the Finale from Verdi’s Falstaff, uniting soloists, the Jette Parker Artists, and the Royal Opera Chorus, symbolizing the unity and enduring vibrant spirit of the Royal Ballet and Opera.
