Royal Opera House

Coutts earliest connection with Covent Garden dates back to 1733. In the early nineteenth century, Thomas Coutts, a partner in the Bank, became a shareholder of the theatre.

He received two silver tokens permitting him to sit in any seat in the house, which we still have today.

Coutts has sponsored the Royal Opera’s new productions of Pagliacci (2003), Faust (2004), the revival of Otello (2005) and new production of Tosca (June 2006). In 2007 we were joint sponsor with the jeweller, Van Cleef & Arpels, of The Royal Ballet’s new production of Jewels. In June 2008, we reverted to opera by sponsoring The Royal Opera's new production of Don Carlo.

Looking back at 2009, we were delighted to co-sponsor with Rolex, The Royal Opera’s latest revival of La Traviata . This production was directed by Richard Eyre. La Traviata is based on the true story of the short life of Marie Duplessis. The novel (and later play), La Dame aux camélias, by Alexandre Dumas (of The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers fame) exposed the hypocrisy of a world that exploited courtesans, but refused them a place among decent society. Considered shocking in its day, the opera presents both the glitter of the fashionable world in which the heroine, Violetta, operates and the intimacy of her brief escape to happiness with Alfredo.

La Traviata opened on 18 June with a first night celebration. There was an all-star line-up for this production including the sumptuous American soprano, Renée Fleming, and her dashing countryman, Thomas Hampson, singing the roles of Violetta and Germont (Alfredo’s father). The stylish Maltese tenor, Joseph Calleja, returned as Alfredo in a role that has won him plaudits all over the world. Antonio Pappano conducted this glamorous revival.

For details of performances and to book tickets please visit the Royal Opera House website .

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