King Charles has stepped out at the Royal Opera House for a late evening special gala performance.
The King is paying tribute to the out-going Music Director for the Royal Opera House, Sir Antonio Pappano.
After the performance, His Majesty will meet Sir Antonio, principal artists and orchestra musicians.
In celebration of Sir Antonio's 22-year tenure as Music Director of The Royal Opera, the King is attending a one-off gala performance.
The specially curated evening will feature performances by renowned opera artists and musicians including Aigul Akhmetshina, Jonas Kaufmann, Bryn Terfel, The Royal Opera Chorus and The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.
They will perform much-loved arias and music from Sir Antonio’s repertoire at the Royal Opera House.
After the show, the King will join Sir Antonio on stage and meet principal artists and orchestra musicians.
As Prince of Wales, the King became President of the Royal Ballet in 2003 and Patron of the Royal Opera House in 2009.
It was announced last week that King Charles will retain patronage of the Royal Opera House and The Royal Opera.
The 75-year-old has also taken on the late Queen Elizabeth II’s longstanding patronage of The Royal Ballet.
Sir Antonio, whom the King is paying tribute to tonight, conducted the Coronation Orchestra last year.
On his involvement, Sir Antonio said: “I am deeply honoured to have been chosen by His Majesty to participate in the musical presentations that will embrace the historic occasion of his Coronation.
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“His Majesty has chosen a most beautiful and varied programme that I believe will enhance the splendour of this very special celebration.”
Sir Antonio has been the Music Director of The Royal Opera since 2002.
He was Music Director of the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome from 2005 to 2023.
In 2023 he became Chief Conductor Designate of the London Symphony Orchestra.
