Royal Opera House thanks the NHS

Published: 27 April 2021
Reporter: Vera Liber

Family Sundays Credit: Laura Aziz
La bohème Credit: Tristram Kenton
The Nutcracker Credit: Tristram Kenton

Royal Opera House will present a Thank You NHS programme of live ballet and opera, partnerships and events and a special performance by the Royal Opera Chorus for hospital radios around the UK.

On 27 June, a special performance of Puccini’s La bohème by Richard Jones will be presented to an auditorium of specially-invited NHS staff, including nurses and healthcare support workers from the Royal Opera House’s nearest hospitals: Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and University College Hospital London.

A Family Sunday event at the Royal Opera House in September dedicated to NHS workers and their families will feature dance, singing and craft workshops and performances inspired by the repertory of The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera.

In the run up to Christmas, NHS workers and their families will be invited to see The Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker as part of its annual Paul Hamlyn Christmas Treat. Thank You NHS will continue on 19 March 2022 with a performance of The Royal Ballet’s Swan Lake.

The Royal Opera Chorus has also partnered with more than 30 hospital radio stations around the country to share almost an hour of specially recorded highlights, including the "Habanera" from Bizet’s Carmen, extracts from Mozart’s La clemenza de Tito, Così fan tutte, and Verdi’s Rigoletto, and favourites from Gilbert and Sullivan.

Jillian Barker, Director of Learning and Participation at the Royal Opera House, said, “after the incredible challenges of the last 12 months, the dedicated and tireless work of NHS staff has been monumental. Their work has helped to save countless lives during this challenging year, and I am delighted that we have the chance to give hundreds of nurses, porters and healthcare support workers from our nearest hospitals, as well as their families, the opportunity to enjoy these wonderful ballet and opera experiences.”

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