Royal Opera House

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 ahead to 2009, we are delighted to co-sponsor with Rolex, The Royal Opera’s latest revival of La Traviata. This production will be 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 opens on 18 June with a first night celebration. There is 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, returns as Alfredo in a role that has won him plaudits all over the world.

Antonio Pappano will conduct this glamorous revival.

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

For more details of current performances at the Royal Opera House, please click here.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a Coutts client, please complete our enquiry form and we will be in touch.