The question whether the nation needs opera and ballet or an international opera house is seldom addressed by politicians or the media.

ECONOMIST: Royal Opera House

Mr Hall said he was determined that the Royal Opera House and Royal Ballet should not just be seen in the south east of England.

BBC: Opera boss plans screens on greens

In the spring, when its celebrated opera company is on hiatus, the Metropolitan Opera House is home to the American Ballet Theatre.

NEWYORKER: Metropolitan Opera House

Mr Robey said Lord Hall would leave behind a "very different" Royal Opera House, which is also home to the Royal Ballet, to the one he took over in 2001.

BBC: Tony Hall

Gerald Hugh Tyrwhitt-Wilson, 14th Baron Berners who lived at Faringdon House, Oxfordshire, wrote orchestral pieces, opera and ballet scores.

BBC: Faringdon's Lord Berners honoured with blue plaque

She has served on the board of the Royal Opera House, was a trustee of the Architecture Foundation and governor of the Royal Ballet.

BBC: Tessa Blackstone