Music: Coronation Opera

Covent Garden is London's vegetable market and its opera centre. For centuries it has been the playhouse centre too. Charles II lost his heart there to an actress named Nell Gwyn. Last winter a more reckless King lost his crown, and for his brother, who will be anointed this month, all Britain is preparing elaborate celebrations. None will be prouder than that of the Covent Garden Opera. For a month painters, carpenters and electricians have busied themselves inside the Opera House.

A dozen rehearsals went on simultaneously. Last week Covent Garden received one...

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