Royal Opera Production Set to Travel to Israel is Pulled After Staff Sign Open Letter

The Royal Ballet and Opera has pulled its 2026 production run of Tosca at Israel's national opera in Tel Aviv.

- Nadia Khomami

The internal announcement by the RBO chief executive, Alex Beard, was made after almost 200 performers, musicians and staff signed an open letter criticising the organisation's stance on Gaza.

Beard acknowledged the "open letter that has been circulating internally" and told members: "We have made the decision that our new production of Tosca will not be going to Israel." The Israeli Opera website has now dropped reference to the Royal Opera House.

The letter sent to Beard and the RBO board last week was signed by 182 RBO members including dancers, singers, musicians and staff across artistic, creative, technical and administrative departments.

It is understood that 40 signatories signed with their names while the others signed anonymously because of fear of reprisals.

The members said they were deeply concerned about "recent actions and decisions taken by the RBO in the context of the ongoing genocide in Gaza".

In particular, the signatories highlighted the RBO's recent hiring out of its production of Turandot, including sets, props and costumes, to the Israeli Opera.

"The decision cannot be viewed as neutral," they said.

"It is a deliberate alignment, materially and symbolically, with a government currently engaged in crimes against humanity.