Fire destroys the Covent Garden Theatre
- When
- 1856–1858
- Where
- Covent Garden Theatre; Covent Garden Theatre site
- Episodes
- 2
The Covent Garden Theatre in London was destroyed by fire in the early hours of 5 March 1856, following a gala performance and bal masqué. The incident necessitated the construction of a third theatre on the site, designed by Edward Middleton Barry, which opened in 1858. During the reconstruction period, the opera company performed at the Lyceum Theatre.
Episodes
- Fire destroys the Covent Garden Theatre
The Covent Garden Theatre in London was destroyed by fire in the early hours of 5 March 1856, following a gala performance and bal masqué organised by Anderson.
- Reconstruction of the Covent Garden Theatre
Work on a third theatre, designed by Edward Middleton Barry, started in 1857, and the new building opened on 15 May 1858.
Background and detail
The Fire. The theatre caught fire in the early hours of 5 March 1856 and was destroyed. The incident occurred after a gala performance and bal masqué organised by Anderson. The auditorium was completely remodeled following the fire, and the company performed at the Lyceum Theatre during the 1856–57 seasons.
Reconstruction. Work on a third theatre, designed by Edward Middleton Barry, started in 1857. The new building, built by Lucas Brothers, opened on 15 May 1858 with a performance of Meyerbeer's Les Huguenots. The façade, foyer, and auditorium date from 1858, forming the nucleus of the present Royal Opera House.
People involved
- Edward Middleton Barry · Architect of the third theatre built after the fire
- Lucas Brothers · Builders of the new theatre opened in 1858
Sources
- Royal Opera House Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-30
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