Royal Ballet & Opera Commission New Main Stage Curtains for Royal Opera House
By David Salazar(Credit: Sim Canetty-Clarke)
The Royal Ballet and Opera has announced the commission of new Main Stage curtains for the Royal Opera House, to be unveiled in May 2026.
The project is produced in collaboration with specialists Gerriets and the Royal School of Needlework.
The new curtains will replace the set installed in 1999, which by the time of deinstallation will have been in use for 27 years. During that period, they have opened and closed on more than 10,000 performances. The commission marks both a practical renewal and a symbolic update to one of the building’s most visible features.
The design will incorporate the personal cipher of His Majesty King Charles III, Patron of the Royal Opera House, The Royal Opera, and The Royal Ballet. Each curtain will be made of mohair velour and constructed in two parts measuring 9.75m in width with a 10.8m drop.
“This commission is part of a vital programme of renewal across the Royal Opera House, addressing areas of the building last updated in the 1990s. The new curtains are not only a celebration of tradition and artistry, but a necessary investment in the future of our stage. We are proud to honour His Majesty’s patronage in such a prominent and lasting way,” said Sir Alex Beard, Chief Executive of the Royal Ballet and Opera, per an official press release.
The project is supported by a grant from the Julia Rausing Trust.
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