Opera

Whether you prefer classic revivals by the world’s leading artists or ground-breaking shows by the newest talent, there’s always something new to discover. There’s even more opera during the summer too, with dedicated festivals and select performances throughout the city.

London Opera houses

The Royal Opera House, situated in Covent Garden, is a must-visit venue for any opera aficionado. The home of The Royal Opera, The Royal Ballet, and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, the Grade I listed building was rebuilt in 1857 and retains many of its original features, including the façade, foyer, and auditorium. Operas have been performed on the site since at least 1735, with Handel’s operas and oratorios. Today, it remains the place to see opera in London, from La bohème to Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

Another leading English opera venue is the London Coliseum in St. Martin's Lane. Opened in 1904, it’s been the home of the English National Opera (ENO) since 1974. The award-winning company have produced some of the most ground-breaking operas in London, such as Aida, Iolanthe, and The Marriage of Figaro.

You can also see London opera at The Royal Festival Hall, part of The Southbank Centre. The Grand Opera Gala is run as part of the Classical Season here and often showcases works by renowned composers such as Wagner, Verdi, Puccini, and Offenbach.

The Hackney Empire on Mare Street, built as a music hall in 1901, continues to entertain audiences today with its extensive mix of programming, which includes opera shows. Recent productions have included The Magic Flute and Handel’s Giulio Cesare.

Open air opera

Some of the best opera in London can be seen in the open air, at the city’s beautiful parks. Holland Park in West London hosts Opera Holland Park, a summer opera company which produces an annual season of opera performances. Previous seasons have included Janáček's Káťa Kabanová and Donizetti's Roberto Devereux and Italian rarities such as Mascagni's L'Amico Fritz, Puccini's La Rondine and Catalani's La Wally.

From famous classics to the hottest new shows, you’ll find a performance to suit you with the city’s wealth of opera venues. Plan the perfect evening of entertainment with London opera tickets at lastminute.com.