Royal Opera House Receives £10 Million Grant from the Julia Rausing Foundation

The grant will be used to upgrade the Royal Opera House's staging and lighting system

The celebrated UK philanthropist Julia Rausing died earlier in 2024, and her husband Hans Rausing has founded the Julia Rausing Trust in her memory. The Trust has committed to donating £100 million to UK charities and organizations in its first year.

One of these organizations is the Royal Opera House (ROH), which will receive a grant of £10 million. The funds will be spent on major upgrades to the ROH's staging and lighting system, including the purchase of a new stage curtain.

The Trust has also gifted £5 million to The National Gallery for building refurbishments, and £1 million to Gloucester Cathedral to fund repairs for its pipe organ.

Prior to her death from cancer, Rausing ran the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust, and turned it into one of the largest philanthropic funds in the country. The Trust donated £50 million annually to causes across Health, Welfare, and the Arts, primarily in the UK. In 2023 giving through the Trust reached a record £71 million for the year.

"Julia Rausing was a dedicated patron and true lover of the arts, and we are extremely thankful for this generous grant in her memory, which will be providing vital funds needed to help us renew our stage infrastructure to deliver the state of the art facilities that our artists deserve and allow our audiences to continue to enjoy performances in our beautiful Grade I listed building in Covent Garden," said Alex Beard, Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House.

"This gift is in addition to an annual fixed contribution that The Julia and Hans Rausing Trust has pledged over five years, which supports our two artistic companies, our ability to build the audiences of the future and our work in schools and communities up and down the country."

"The Royal Ballet was so dear to Julia's heart, so it's poignant and heartwarming that thanks to her generosity she will continue to support our creative teams, dancers and productions long into the future," added Kevin O'Hare, Director of the Royal Ballet.

"We will be forever grateful for her generous support, and we will work to honor her remarkable legacy."