The King appeared in good spirits as he attended a special gala at the Royal Opera House to celebrate outgoing music director Sir Antonio Pappano.
It’s been a busy time for King Charles, who yesterday celebrated his fifth engagement in 48 hours – a star-studded garden party at Buckingham Palace – and the monarch shows no signs of slowing down.
Her Majesty, 75, became patron of the Royal Opera House in 2009 and is a huge fan of the arts. So it’s no surprise that he seemed in his element enjoying such a poignant tribute to one of the country’s most respected composers.
The special and unique gala, celebrating Sir Antonio Pappano’s 22-year tenure as musical director, brought together renowned opera singers such as Aigul Akhmetshina, Jonas Kaufmann and Bryn Terfel, as well as the Royal Opera Chorus and the Royal Opera Orchestra. Home.
The singers and orchestra performed the tunes and music that defined Sir Antonio’s time as musical director, spanning his 22-year career.
King Charles shakes hands with Sir Antonio Pappano. The King appeared in good spirits as he attended a special gala performance at the Royal Opera House.
After tonight’s show, King Charles met the man of the moment, Sir Antonio, as well as the leading artists and orchestral musicians to congratulate them on their performance.
Sir Antonio Pappano conducted the Coronation Orchestra last year and, in recognition of his performance, he was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in the 2024 New Year Honours.
Sir Antonio said of his involvement at the time: “I am deeply honored to have been chosen by Her Majesty to participate in the musical presentations which will mark the historic occasion of her coronation.
“Her Majesty has chosen a most beautiful and varied program which I believe will enhance the splendor of this very special celebration.”
As well as being a lover of opera, King Charles is also a fan of ballet, having been President of the Royal Ballet since 2003.
The palace announced last week that Her Majesty would retain patronage of the Royal Opera House and the Royal Opera, as well as her mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s, long-standing patronage of the Royal Ballet.
Oliver Mears, director of the Royal Opera, told Opera Wire that the king retaining his patronage was a “huge honour”.
He said: ‘It is a tremendous honor that His Majesty the King has agreed to retain his patronage of the Royal Opera.
“Opera has a rich history and an exciting future, and we are delighted that Her Majesty will continue her generous support of our world-class company.”
King Charles walks next to Antonio Pappano this evening at the Royal Opera House in London
King Charles meets the cast of a special gala, on the day of an event celebrating Antonio Pappano’s 22 years as musical director of the Royal Opera House.
Her Majesty, 75, became patron of the Royal Opera House in 2009 and is a huge fan of the arts. So it’s no surprise that he seemed in his element enjoying such a poignant tribute to one of the country’s most respected composers.
The special and unique gala, celebrating Sir Antonio Pappano’s 22-year tenure as musical director, brought together renowned opera singers such as Aigul Akhmetshina, Jonas Kaufmann and Bryn Terfel, as well as the Royal Opera Chorus and the Royal Opera Orchestra. Home
Executive Director of the Royal Opera, Alex Beard, added: “For more than six decades we have enjoyed the dedicated support of the Royal Family, and we are extremely grateful to Her Majesty for continuing to recognize the work we do to bring world-class ballet. and opera to audiences across the country and around the world.
King Charles and Queen Camilla last visited the Royal Opera House together in November for a performance of “Don Quixote,” organized in aid of NHS workers.
The show was hosted by legendary ballet dancer Darcey Bussell and BBC presenter Petroc Trelawny, with the show broadcast live to 1,000 cinemas in the UK and around the world.
Buckingham Palace released a statement about the release, which read: “The Queen shares Her Majesty’s love of ballet and, as Duchess of Cornwall, has become Patron of the Ballet School of Elmhurst in 2006.
“Her Majesty is also Vice Patron of the Royal Academy of Dance and takes ‘Silver Swan’ ballet classes for older learners.”
Meanwhile, the Queen today revealed the King is “doing better” before joking: “Well, he would be if he behaved.”
After tonight’s show, King Charles met the man of the moment, Sir Antonio, as well as the leading artists and orchestral musicians to congratulate them on their performance.
Camilla, 76, chatted to guests at a garden party at Lamb House in Rye, East Sussex, where she was treated to a performance from actors Timothy West and Hayley Mills.
Charles, who is still undergoing treatment for cancer, is said to be delighted that his doctors have given him permission to undertake more public engagements again.
He hosted five major events in 48 hours earlier this week alone – and his wife revealed he was “pretty angry about not being able to be there” but had been “dragged off to more tasks subordinates”.
She was visiting Lamb House, the home of author EF Benson, during a literary-themed engagement day in Sussex.
The Queen has made no secret of her frustration that her husband works too hard, but sources say she understands and accepts his prodigious work ethic.
The king has tirelessly handled state affairs and royal duties behind the scenes since his diagnosis, and has now been given the green light to attend more public events.
He is also expected to lead the royal family at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show next week, as previously revealed by the Mail.
It comes after reality TV host Maya Jama attempted to recruit a new fan when she asked the royal if he watched Love Island at a Buckingham Palace garden party celebrating the creative industries.
Charles laughed and joked with guests as he joined the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duchess of Gloucester in the palace garden on Wednesday.
Jama, 29, introduced herself as a TV presenter and said: “I host Love Island. I don’t know if you watched it? It’s a reality TV show. Laughing, the king jokingly replied, “There is one born every minute.” »
Asked about her future plans, she replied: “I’m about to go to Spain to film young people kissing someone.”
Other celebrities in attendance included documentarian Louis Theroux, Hollywood director Sir Ridley Scott and artist Tracey Emin.
Around 4,000 representatives from the world of culture, art, heritage, cinema, television, radio and fashion were present.
Charles, dressed in a gray suit, pink waistcoat and top hat, smiled at the gathered crowd as he entered the garden from the palace.
Camilla wore a pale pink fringed coat dress by Anna Valentine with a matching Philip Treacy hat and accessorized her outfit with the late queen’s pink diamond flower brooch.
The royal couple stood at the top of the garden steps to watch the national anthem before the crowd applauded them. Charles and Camilla then welcomed the groups of participants separately.
The king has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer since early February, but has returned to public duties, including leading his first investiture ceremony in five months at Windsor Castle on Tuesday.
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