Strum Kenny, 67–104 (Washington, D.C.: Associated University Presses,
1984; PN2592 .B74).
Describes the London opera scene and lists the works staged 1705–1710.For the period 1830–1859 there is a book of reviews by the critic of the Athenaeum:
Henry F. Chorley, Thirty Years’ Musical Recollections (New York: Knopf, 1926; orig-
inally published 1862). Chorley was a good observer of Italian opera, but he did not
appreciate Wagner. Interesting opinions are gathered in Percy Alfred Scholes, The Mir-
ror of Music, 1844–1944: A Century of Musical Life in Britain in the Pages of the
“Musical Times”(London: Novello, 1947). See also Lumley (#314), Klein (#429), and
Schmidgall on Shaw (#433) for other critical views of the London opera.
London: Theaters
The history of London theaters is a complex one, involving numerous rebuildings and
name changes. This summary may be useful.
Drury Lane: Four buildings have occupied the site, dating from 1663, 1674,
1794, and 1812 (the present structure). Important in the 19th century, the theater is
no longer used regularly for opera.
Her Majesty’s Theatre: This is the theater in the Haymarket, opened in 1705 as
the Queen’s Theatre, renamed the King’s Theater in 1714—the name changed after
that to accord with the gender of the sovereign—burned in 1789, rebuilt in 1791,
burned in 1867, demolished in 1891, and rebuilt in 1897. It was the exclusive home of
Italian opera but is no longer used for opera.
The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, has had three buildings: 1732 (burned
in 1808), 1809 (burned in 1856), and 1858. Closed for renovation; reopened in
December 1999.
Sadler’s Wells: The first house opened in 1765 and was the site of occasional
opera until it fell into disuse in the late 19th century. Renovated in 1931, moved to the
Coliseum Theatre in 1968, renamed English National Opera in 1974.
London: Royal Opera
- Rosenthal, Harold D. Two Centuries of Opera at Covent Garden.London:
Putnam, 1958; Chester Springs, Penn.: Dufour, 1964. xiv, 849p. ML1731.8
.L72 C67.
A well-illustrated popular account, with casts of all performances 1847–
1956/1957. The arrangement is by title, not in chronological order. Informa-
tion is not always reliable. Index of names, operas, and topics. - Donaldson, Frances Londsale. The Royal Opera House in the Twentieth Cen-
tury.London: Weidenfeld & Nicholson, 1988. xvii, 238p. ISBN 0-2977-9178- - ML1731.8 .L72 C624.
A narrative of the periods 1888–1985/1986, covering opera and ballet. Deals
with administrative and economic matters, the company’s tours abroad, and
the emergence—under Georg Solti in 1958–1971—of “an international opera
house.” Backnotes, expansive index of names and theaters.
See also Haltrecht (#325).
United Kingdom 503