The Royal Opera House has announced a change of name ahead of its highly anticipated 2024/25 season.

Now to be known as the Royal Ballet and Opera, the company have announced eight new ballet productions as well as a world premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s opera Festen. Further highlights include Wagner’s Die Walküre and Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin.

Rebuilt after a fire in 1856, the Royal Ballet and Opera is home to the Royal Opera, the Royal Ballet and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House. Both the Royal Opera  and Royal Ballet have occupied the same building in Covent Garden since 1946 where the ballet previously held the moniker of ‘Sadlers Wells Ballet’ until the awarding of a royal charter in 1956.

Much like the English National Opera (ENO), the Royal Opera experienced significant cuts in its funding from the Arts Council and has been forced to borrow money from the UK government and cut costs. The institution continues to market its productions toward younger audiences, offering £30 midweek tickets to those aged between 16 and 25. Opera tickets start at £8.

Alex Beard, Chief Executive of the Royal Ballet and Opera says ‘The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera have performed under the same roof since 1946,’ adding, ‘both companies now enjoy the prominence that they rightfully deserve.’

Tickets for the 2024/25 season will be available on 10 July.