Royal Opera House

The Royal Opera House (ROH) is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to by Muggles as simply 'Covent Garden', after a previous use of the site.

The first opera house was constructed in 1732. It is the home of The Royal Opera, The Royal Ballet, and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House. Originally called the Theatre Royal, it served primarily as a playhouse for the first hundred years of its history. In 1734, the first ballet was presented. A year later, first season of operas by George Frideric Handel began. Many of his operas and oratorios were specifically written for Covent Garden and had their premieres there.

Paul Hamlyn Hall

The Paul Hamlyn Hall is a large iron and glass structure adjacent to, and with direct access to, the main opera house building. The hall now acts as the atrium and main public area of the opera house, with a champagne bar, restaurant and other hospitality services, and also providing access to the main auditorium at all levels.

The building was formerly known as Floral Hall. It was originally built by the Opera House to house a flower market (also selling fruits and vegetables), hence the name. It was designed by Edward Middleton Barry and opened in 1860. After being used as a concert hall, it became part of the Covent Garden Market in 1887. A fire broke out in the building in 1956, after which it sat derelict. It was acquired by the Opera House in 1977 and used as storage space.

The redevelopment of the Floral Hall as part of the 1990s redevelopment project involved lifting up the cast iron structure to accommodate new public areas for the opera house underneath. The southern side of the hall now connected with another building, so the cast iron south portico was dismantled and rebuilt in Borough Market.

As well as acting as a main public area for performances in the main auditorium, the Paul Hamlyn Hall is also used for hosting a number of events, including private functions, dances, exhibitions, concerts, and workshops.

At Absit Omen

Odette Fairchild works here.

Jebediah Layton has worked here on behalf of Ira Almasy.

On 2nd January 2010, the International Society of Wizarding Arts held their Annual Winter Opera[1] here. The Opera was loosely based on William Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, which revolves around King Leontes, ruler of Sicily. The performance is sung in Italian. Alarmingly, the evening turned bloody and caused the deaths of Dorothy Bigglesworth, Henry Crassingdon and Linus Miller by lynching as reported in the Daily Prophet [2]

In March it hosted the HHUG Black Tie Benefit Gala[3]

In early June 2010, it was host to a fundraiser for dragons[4] during the dragon sickness epidemic. It was organised by CeeCee Donovan and Charlotte St. James.

Edwin Glass and Ira Almasy began a quiet partnership here on 31st July 2010 [5] in the Hamlyn Hall. Kazimir Almasy was also present.

On 25th October 2010, Hannah Bombay met Ira Almasy here. [6]

There was a Bonfire Night Ballet[7] here on the 5th November, 2010, the same night at the Leaky Cauldron explosions. Ira Almasy was called away mid-performance to deal with Lawrence Musgrave and Hannah Bombay.

Solomon Carstairs was due to visit on February 23rd, 2011 with his wife. [8]

Augustine Fortescue hosted a Ghost Ball - a murder mystery feast, spooky vintage gala, and preview of this summer's theatre/arts/opera/ballet/festival fare, there on April 22nd, 2011 [9]

On her death, Ira Almasy's will[10] written in April 2011 gifted a third of her estate to the Opera House, but due to her criminal gains, it is unsure if it ever reached it.