The Royal Opera is a company based in central London, resident at the
Royal Opera House,
Covent Garden. Along with the
English National Opera, it is one of the two principal opera companies in London. Founded in 1946 as the Covent Garden Opera Company, it was known by that title until 1968. It brought a long annual season and consistent management to a house that had previously hosted short seasons under a series of
impresarios. Since its inception, it has shared the Royal Opera House with the dance company now known as
The Royal Ballet.