Un ballo in maschera

at Royal Opera House
London Available from Mon 30 Nov to Fri 18 Dec

Book Un Ballo in Maschera tickets & experience Verdi's gripping opera in London

Forbidden love, political conspiracy and a murder foretold collide as Verdi's Un Ballo in Maschera comes to the Royal Opera House in a playfully surreal new production from German director Philipp Stölzl.

  • Experience Verdi's powerful opera of love, betrayal, jealousy and revenge
  • See Philipp Stölzl make his Royal Opera debut with a visually arresting new production
  • Discover a story inspired by the real-life assassination of Sweden's King Gustav III
  • Experience Verdi's dramatic score performed live by The Royal Opera
  • Follow the action in Italian with English surtitles displayed around the auditorium

A love triangle. A conspiracy. A masked ball. Un Ballo in Maschera brings romance, political intrigue and tragedy together as one dangerous passion threatens to bring everything crashing down.

See Un Ballo in Maschera at the Royal Opera House in London

  • Dates: 30th November - 18th December 2026
  • Performance Times: 30th November at 7pm | 2nd, 7th, 10th, 12th, 15th & 18th December at 7:30pm
  • Age Guidance: More information coming soon. As this is a new production, age guidance and content warnings may change
  • Duration: Approximately 2 hours 50 minutes, including one interval
  • Language: Sung in Italian with English surtitles
  • Venue: Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9DD
  • Tickets Include: Admission and reserved seating for your selected performance

A love triangle, a conspiracy & a murder foretold

Gustavo has power, charisma and an appetite for life, but he's hiding one dangerous secret. He's in love with Amelia, the wife of his closest friend, Renato. Amelia feels the same, setting the stage for a collision between love, loyalty and betrayal.

When a fortune teller warns Gustavo that the next man to shake his hand will become his killer, political intrigue and jealousy begin closing in. The story races towards a masked ball where revenge, a gunshot and death await.

The opera draws inspiration from the real assassination of Sweden's King Gustav III, who was shot during a masked ball in Stockholm in 1792. Verdi transforms the story into a potent mix of romance, comedy, political ambition and tragedy.

Director and designer Philipp Stölzl makes his Royal Opera debut with this new production, alongside costume designer Antony McDonald, lighting designer Gerrit Jurda and movement director Sarah Fahie.

Get ready for passion, paranoia and one seriously dangerous night on the dance floor. Book Un Ballo in Maschera tickets today and experience Verdi's opera live at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.

Location

Royal Opera House

Bow St,
London,
London,
WC2E 9DD
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How to find us

Royal Opera House is located on Bow Street in Covent Garden, London WC2E 9DD.

  • By car: Use postcode WC2E 9DD for your sat nav. There is no on-site parking. The nearest NCP car parks are on Drury Lane and Shelton Street, while limited disabled parking bays are available on Bow Street and Floral Street.
  • By train: Charing Cross is the nearest mainline station, approximately 0.5 miles from the Royal Opera House. Waterloo and Euston also provide mainline connections into central London.
  • By Tube: Covent Garden is the nearest Underground station. Step-free alternatives include Leicester Square, Holborn and Tottenham Court Road.
  • By bus: The closest bus stops are around Aldwych, Drury Lane and Leicester Square, providing connections into Covent Garden from across central London.
  • By foot: From Covent Garden station, walk towards Covent Garden Piazza and Bow Street. The Royal Opera House is just moments from the Piazza.
Facilities
  • Café, bars and restaurants
  • Free water stations on all levels
  • Complimentary cloakrooms for ticket holders
  • Royal Ballet and Opera Shop
  • Accessible toilets
  • Stepfree entrances
  • Lifts and escalators
  • Designated wheelchair spaces
  • Accessible seating
  • Assistance animals welcome
  • Limited disabled parking bays nearby
More Info
Is the Royal Opera House wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The Royal Opera House has step-free access through power-assisted entrances on Bow Street and Covent Garden Piazza. Lifts provide access to all floors and accessible seating and wheelchair spaces are available.

Does the Royal Opera House offer carer tickets? If so, how do I book a carer ticket?

Royal Ballet and Opera offers complimentary tickets for essential companions through its Access Scheme. Visitors with access requirements should register with the Access Scheme and book suitable tickets through Royal Ballet and Opera.

Is there food and drink at the Royal Opera House?

Yes. The Royal Opera House has a café, bars and restaurants where you can purchase food and drink. Only bottled water and ice creams are permitted inside the auditoria.

What age is Un Ballo in Maschera suitable for?

As this is a new production, Royal Ballet and Opera advises that age guidance and content warnings may be subject to change.

How long is Un Ballo in Maschera?

Un Ballo in Maschera lasts approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes, including one interval.

What language is Un Ballo in Maschera performed in?

Un Ballo in Maschera is sung in Italian with English subtitles displayed on screens above the stage and around the auditorium.

When is Un Ballo in Maschera in London?

Un Ballo in Maschera runs from 30th November to 18th December 2026 at the Royal Opera House, with performances on 30th November and 2nd, 7th, 10th, 12th, 15th and 18th December.

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