Friday, September 21, 2012

What's Up at Covent Garden?




Friday, we headed out to Covent Garden to the Royal Opera House for a tour. Such an incredibly beautiful building which is home to both the Royal Opera and Royal Ballet of England. Three theaters have stood in this location. The original was constructed in 1732, a later theater suffered disastrous fires in 1808 and 1857, and
the recent reconstruction of the current building was completed in the 1990's.


No photos were allowed inside, sadly, but I found this photo to show you some of the opulence of the theater. On our guided tour we were privileged to go backstage to see the wardrobe area, the props room in action, where craftsmen and women of all mediums were busy at work, and the rehearsal rooms.



A special treat was seeing principal dancers Marianela Nunez and her partner and husband Thiago Soares rehearsing with their director, who play the lead roles in the upcoming Swan Lake production.

The couple fell in love after he joined the Royal Ballet in 2002 and became engaged in 2006 after Soares proposed to her onstage after a curtain call of Sleeping Beauty.

Such a sweet love story--it was a joy watching them dance up close and personal.


From the upper floors of the Theater, we were able to look down upon Covent Garden where there was  a lot of action today.


You see, massive lines, reportedly numbering in the thousands as reported by the Telegraph, were in place for the launching of the new iPhone 5 at the Covent Garden Apple store.


Jumping on the party bandwagon was the launch of Diet Coke's limited edition of Jean Paul Gaultier's design of Diet Coke bottles,


and huge designer chocolate bars being passed out.


There was a "pep team" of Apple employees cheering every 


iPhone purchaser as they finally entered the store and then exited with their new toy!


We had fun playing with the new toy ourselves--much lighter and thinner.


I think I've caught the bug!

Anyone else thinking about getting one??

8 comments:

  1. That looks like a fabulous day to be in Covent Garden, love it! I was bitten a long time ago by the IPhone bug - time to update my phone! xxoo

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  2. Covent Garden always has such a wonderful vibe to it - whether it is the ROH, the markets, the Apple store or the street performers - I am always drawn to this area. I love the sweet little church - 'Church of the Actors'. I try to sit with a cuppa there. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. I'm going today to pick up my new IPhone today......I might need a tutorial! The Opera House looks beautiful .... there's always another tour we haven't been on!

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  4. What a fantastic day Debi. Love the new do!

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  5. Covent Garden is always a fun destination, Debi. The theatre is gorgeous – I've never been inside so that was a treat to see. And so great that you were there for the iPhone release. What a party! Yes, we'll be getting ours soon. :)

    Hope you are very well. Miss having you in the garden. :)

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  6. How fun! I love Swan Lake - and such a sweet story. I haven't read anything about the new iPhone yet (my fault), but wondering how they can make it better?!

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  7. Oooo....so many goodies here on your post! What a lovely ballet couple! GOD BLESS THEM ALWAYS! And that huge chocolate bar...OH DEAR.....and then the device. Oh how I have become hooked on my computer....Never thought that would happen! I just would love to have an ipad, but what I have will do; I will just keep taking a good old-fashioned book with me! THANK YOU for your visit and kind comments my dear. It is always so nice to come to visit you at your life in London!! Anita

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