ABSTRACT
The operas chosen to celebrate The Royal Opera's golden jubilee reflect the Company's commitment to broadening the repertory, and to introducing works infrequently or never previously heard at Covent Garden, with fine ensemble casts led by distinguished conductors in innovative and challenging productions. It is fortunate that the establishment of the Music Performance Research Centre has ensured the preservation of, and controlled public access to, many performances recorded at the Royal Opera House. In reviewing the history of The Royal Opera it seems quite remarkable that this internationally renowned opera company, one of the finest in the world, should be only fifty years old. In 1995 The Royal Opera launched the first Verdi Festival, initiated by the enthusiasm of Edward Downes, Associate Music Director of The Royal Opera who first worked at Co vent Garden in 1952 as repetiteur, and has been conducting here since 1953.
