The Londoner: Royal Opera House ‘faces closure amid Covid crisis’

The Royal Opera House is facing shutdown, singer Dame Sarah Connolly says, as the Government was urged to act to save the British music industry. “They are ringing alarm bells. They are desperately trying to get sponsors to shore them up,” Connolly told The Londoner this week.

She added: “Beyond the autumn they don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s an internationally renowned opera house but it’s potentially facing closure.”

The ROH said: “The ROH and, indeed, the entire theatre industry are facing severe financial challenges. We must draw on our collective ingenuity and determination to survive and adapt.”

Ministers were urged this week to save musicians. Concerts and gigs face a serious struggle to reopen before 2021, and state support slows down from next month. Stars have signed an open letter warning of “mass insolvencies”.

Shadow culture secretary Jo Stevens told the Londoner: “The fact that even the iconic Royal Opera House is struggling really highlights the problem facing the industry as a whole.

"It’s not just an impressive building in Covent Garden, the ROH employs over 1,000 people and creates work for many freelancers as well.

Connolly added: "It's a global phenomenon the British music industry. We [classical music] contribute over £5bn to the industry, and the creative industry as a whole creates over £100bn.

"Three million of us in the performing arts are just at a standstill. For futures to be sustainable literally we need some financial help. Other countries are doing it, but the Government isn't listening.

"There's no future for live performing arts. There's no answer, because the Government isn't answering."

Nickie Aiken, Tory MP for Cities of London and Westminster, where the ROH is, said: "If we lost the Royal Opera House, we lose a world renowned cultural institution, with a likely knock on effect for local restaurants, bars, cafes and hotels. We must act fast to save our theatres and venues."

Early last month, Alex Beard, chief executive of the Royal Opera House, said its reserves were enough to see it through to “late Autumn but certainly not into the New Year.”

The Royal Opera House has existed in some form since the 1660s, surely this isn’t the end?

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