London's Royal Opera House to Thank Health Workers With Performances

The series of special events includes performances of La Bohème and The Nutcracker

The Royal Opera House will present a series of performances, partnerships, and events as a means to say thank you to the staff of the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS).

A special performance of Puccini's La Bohème will be presented on June 27. In September, a Family Sunday event will be dedicated to NHS workers, with activities including dance, singing, and craft workshops. Performances of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker and Swan Lake will also be a part of this special gift, taking place on December 4, 2021, and March 19, 2022, respectively.

"After the incredible challenges of the last 12 months, the dedicated and tireless work of NHS staff has been monumental," said Jilian Barker, Director of Learning and Participation at the Royal Opera House. "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.

"I am also delighted that the wonderful sound of the Royal Opera Chorus, beamed across Hospital Radio networks up and down the country, will give more people the chance to experience opera in all its glory."

"The thrill of live opera, with its ability to capture the most intense emotions and help us understand each other and life’s biggest themes: love, loss, joy, and hope, should be part of everyone’s cultural capital, " added Lord Laidlaw, Chair of the Laidlaw Foundation. "We are delighted therefore to sponsor this performance of La bohème, as a very big thank you to all the NHS and keyworkers from the Laidlaw Foundation and Royal Opera House."