Members of the Royal Opera House Collection team pack the tutu worn by Margot Fonteyn as The Firebird in the 1954 Sadler's Wells Ballet production. (Photo courtesy of Alan Williams)
LONDON, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- One of the biggest wardrobes in the world, containing more than 20,000 costumes, has opened on the outskirts of London. The building has become the new home for the stunning costumes worn by iconic stars of opera and ballet.
The gleaming new Royal Opera House (ROH) Bob and Tamar Manoukian Costume Centre at Thurrock in Essex officially opened its doors Thursday. It is a new hub where costumes will be made by expert designers for productions at the Royal Opera House (ROH) in Covent Garden. Historic costumes and artefacts will also be carefully stored and preserved in the new purpose-built, eco-friendly workshop.
But the building has another important purpose, as ROH chief executive Alex Beard explained: "This is a landmark moment for us as we see our wonderful new building officially opened and fully operational. With costumes being made for the Royal Opera House stages, historic costumes and artefacts carefully stored and preserved, and the next generation of costume makers learning their craft alongside professionals," said Beard.
Over 6,000 of the stored items are costumes dating back to the 1700s, when Covent Garden first became a mecca for opera performances. Among the collection is a tutu worn in 1954 by English ballerina Dame Margot Fonteyn, widely regarded as one of the greatest classical ballet dancers of all time.
Also at the site are highly-skilled scenic artists, carpenters, draughtsman, and metalworkers who create the stunning sets for Covent Garden's opera and ballet productions.
In a unique partnership with South Essex College and University of the Arts London, the ROH has established a new Bachelors degree course in costume construction, delivered from the center's bespoke workrooms. The first students started their course just a few days ago.
The ROH has already developed an education program aimed at enriching the cultural life of the local community in Thurrock, Essex, by inspiring, supporting and developing the learning and creativity of people of all ages.
