The Royal Opera House

The Royal Opera House at Covent Garden (known to most theatre-goers as The Garden) stands not far away from one of the most famous of London streets, the Strand, in the West End. It is the best opera house in Europe with one of the finest orchestras.

The name "Covent" comes from "Convent", a nunnery. In the Middle Ages the area near Bow Street was occupied by a convent and now the name alone keeps up the memory. After King Henry VIII closed the convent, the area turned into a very beautiful place with fashionable houses all round it.

The present day theatre was the third to be built: twice in two centuries Covent Garden has been burned down. Outside there are tall pillars, flags and lights. The inside is far more beautiful. The large auditorium is in the shape of a horseshoe. There you can see the great dark velvet curtains with the royal initials E II R (Elizabeth II Regina) at the bottom and much more dark velvet and plush all round.

Covent Garden is open almost the entire year and when the opera company is resting or touring the ballet company takes the stage. This is a newer art for Covent Garden than the opera but it has already become an international one since the Royal Ballet goes on tour abroad and has made the name of Covent Garden famous.

Е. Р. Ліндер, "Чи знаєте ви?"