Summary:
- A cast member of the Royal Opera House’s Il Trovatore unfurled a Palestinian flag on stage during curtain call, causing confusion and brief confrontation.
- The incident occurred at London’s Covent Garden on July 19 and was widely shared on social media.
- The identity of the performer remains undisclosed; no statement or disciplinary action has been announced by the Royal Opera House.
- Audience reactions varied; some applauded while others appeared taken aback.
- The act sparked online debate about political gestures in cultural institutions.
- Tied to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, it raised questions about free expression within the arts sector.
- The Royal Opera House has not altered programming or announced a procedural review.
A cast member of the Royal Opera House’s production of Il Trovatore unfurled a Palestinian flag on stage during curtain calls Saturday evening, prompting visible confusion and a brief confrontation with staff attempting to retrieve the banner. The incident occurred at London’s Covent Garden on July 19, as the ensemble took their bows following the conclusion of the opera.
Video clips shared across social media appear to show one of the performers raising the Palestinian flag while standing among the cast. Moments later, a member of the stage crew approached and attempted to remove the banner, leading to what one eyewitness described as a “brief tussle” between the performer and the staff member. Ultimately, the cast member held on to the flag and remained on stage as the audience continued to applaud.
The identity of the performer has not been officially disclosed, and no public statement has yet been issued by the Royal Opera House addressing the incident or elaborating on whether it breached any internal codes of conduct.
According to those present, the act was met with mixed reactions from the audience. Some attendees reportedly applauded, while others appeared startled or chose not to engage. “It was unexpected,” said one visitor who asked not to be named. “You come for opera and leave in the middle of a political moment. I’m not sure everyone knew how to react.”
Social media users uploaded multiple videos of the moment, sparking broad discussion online about the appropriateness of political gestures during cultural performances. The footage quickly garnered thousands of views, with opinions divided along familiar lines. Some praised what they saw as a courageous public act of solidarity, while others criticized the choice to stage the protest within a formal artistic platform.
The backdrop to the protest is the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which continues to provoke both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the globe. Since hostilities escalated last October, public expressions of support and condemnation have rippled across numerous industries—including the arts—raising increasingly complex questions for institutions regarding freedom of expression and civic responsibility.
Commenting on the broader phenomenon, a spokesperson for a London-based arts advocacy organization, who declined to comment directly on the Royal Opera House event, noted that “cultural spaces have always been sites of expression—sometimes controversial expression. As tensions rise globally, it’s no surprise we’re seeing more of this in theatres and galleries.”
As of Sunday evening, the Royal Opera House remains silent on whether any disciplinary or procedural review is underway. No changes to upcoming performances have been announced.
Background:
Here is how this event developed over time:
- October 7, 2023: Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, triggering a renewed and ongoing military conflict in Gaza.
- Since late 2023: Cultural institutions worldwide have become platforms for protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
- July 19, 2025: A cast member at the Royal Opera House in London unfurled a Palestinian flag during curtain call at the end of Verdi’s Il Trovatore.
- July 19, 2025: Staff attempted to remove the flag, resulting in a physical struggle on stage, but the performer retained the flag.
- July 20, 2025: Video of the incident spread widely on social media, sparking divided public reactions and media coverage.
- As of July 21, 2025: The Royal Opera House has not publicly identified the cast member involved or issued a formal statement.