The Royal Opera House announced that it will present the special performance of Puccini’s opera ‘La bohème’ in order to express their gratitude to the staff of the National Health Service.

The presentation will take place on June 27, 2021. The opera will be performed for specially-invited NHS staff, including nurses and healthcare support workers from the Royal Opera House’s nearest hospitals: Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and University College Hospital London.

“After the incredible challenges of the last 12 months, the dedicated and tireless work of NHS staff has been monumental. 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 ballets and opera experiences,” said Jillian Barker, Director of Learning and Participation at the Royal Opera House. “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,” added Barker.

Lord Laidlaw, Chair of the Laidlaw Foundation, added, “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. 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.”

The Hospital Radio Broadcast will present almost an hour of specially recorded highlights, including the famous Habanera from Bizet’s “Carmen“; extracts from Mozart’s “La clemenza de Tito,” “Così fan tutte,” and Verdi’s “Rigoletto,” and favorites from Gilbert and Sullivan.