Just in: Covent Garden finds a donor to match every gift

Alex Beard, chief executive of the Royal Opera House, has written to supporters apprising them of the grave situation that has gripped all companies across the arts:

This global pandemic has disrupted all our lives in so many ways and we, like many other charitable arts organizations, find ourselves in an extremely challenging financial position having lost £3 in every £5 of our income.

There is, however, a silver lining:

By choosing to stand beside us as a Friend, you are already an important part of our community, for which we are all hugely grateful.I also know many of you have chosen to support us further through donating the cost of a ticket, or making an additional donation to help us in these difficult times. We cannot thank you enough for your generosity. This support enables us to continue to connect with you through our free programme of online broadcasts, whilst helping to ensure the future of opera, ballet, dance and music at the Royal Opera House.

Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, any donations made up until 30 June will be matched pound for pound, doubling the value of your gifts.