ROH Unmasked: backstage at Covent Garden, live stream

The community of singers, players, technicians, craftspeople, staff and producers at the Royal Opera House was splintered when its doors closed in March 2020. Now, as the house prepares to welcome back in-person audiences, you can take a peek backstage, before you take your seat from 17 May.

A short film, ROH Unmasked, looks at the unique challenges of the pandemic year and listens to personal insights, interspersed with music from some of the best-loved pieces in the opera repertory.

Speaking for many staff is Rachel Walsh, an ROH lighting manager. 'We've had to innovate and adapt to survive.' she says. 'But nothing compares to seeing a full orchestra, full chorus and an amazing cast on the stage.'

Opera extracts by Britten, Mozart, Wagner, Puccini, Gounod and Verdi and performed by the talented Jette Parker Young Artists, the Royal Opera Chorus and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.

Soprano Alexandra Lowe, seen here in Apollo and Daphne, sings when the ROH welcomes audiences backstage. Photo: Tristram Kenton

Viewers can also go behind the scenes to discover the atmospheric costume workshop, the fly tower, which raises and lowers scenery, and big personalities. Artists include sopranos Kiandra Howarth, Alexandra Lowe and Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, tenor Filipe Manu,and bass Blaise Malaba, who will be appearing in full-scale productions from next month.

Tickets go on sale on 7 May for Mozart's La Clemenza di Tito and Don Giovanni, and Puccini's La Bohème.

Says director of opera Oliver Mears: 'ROH Unmasked will take you behind the scenes of our home in Covent Garden and will show you the ROH as you have never seen it before.

'Through the contributions of everyone in the film, including operatic highlights from some of the finest singers in the Company and the Chorus, this film is a moment to reflect on our most challenging year as we prepare to once again welcome you back in person.'