SKU: 80816434067

Oliver Messel “Gloriana” 1953 Coronation Royal Gala Performance Royal Opera Covent Garden Programme

Sale price$259.65 Regular price$288.50
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $72.12 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 15 - Jul 20

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

Oliver Messel “Gloriana” 1953 Coronation Royal Gala Performance Royal Opera Covent Garden Programme[4] pp. 1953 15 1 2" x 10 1 2" Oliver Messel (19041978) "Gloriana" by Benjamin Britten (19131976) Original Programme for Royal Gala Performance for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II Royal Opera House, London Printed by Eaton Press, Liverpool 8th June 1953 Measures: 26. 7 cm x 39. 4 cm Cover designed by Oliver Messel incorporating "OM" monogram. Gilt cord and tassels to spine. A large souvenir programme for the Royal Gala Performance of Benjamin

[4] pp.

1953

15 1/2" x 10 1/2"

Oliver Messel (1904–1978)

"Gloriana" by Benjamin Britten (1913–1976)

Original Programme for Royal Gala Performance for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

Royal Opera House, London

Printed by Eaton Press, Liverpool

8th June 1953

Measures:-

26.7 cm x 39.4 cm

Cover designed by Oliver Messel incorporating "OM" monogram. Gilt cord and tassels to spine.

A large souvenir programme for the Royal Gala Performance of Benjamin Britten's "Gloriana" - commissioned to commemorate the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The opera starred Peter Pears as Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex and Joan Cross as Queen Elizabeth I. The costumes and scenery were designed by John Piper CH (1903-1992).

Oliver Messel designed the special decorations of the Theatre, Entrance Hall and Crush Bar.

Flowers by Constance Spry

Designer Oliver Messel’s fantastic, imaginative approach and his feel for grand occasions meant that he was in great demand to design temporary decorations for balls, marriage receptions and parties. Prestigious commissions included the decoration of royal boxes for gala performances at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and temporary decorations for the exterior of the Dorchester Hotel, London, on the occasion of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Typically, he would transform the setting using luxurious fabrics to disguise architectural lines, then embellish the fabrics with garlands of flowers and introduce special lighting effects.

This design is for the Royal Box at the Royal Opera House for the premiere of Benjamin Britten’s opera Gloriana, which took place on 8 June 1853. The performance celebrated the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and was attended by the new Queen. Messel hung a tent-like gold canopy over the three bays and lined the box in pale gold silk made by Sekers, the silk manufacturer. The balconies were also festooned with green garlands and flowers.

The official Royal Box at the Opera House is situated one box away from the stage, which means that, although the public has a good view of the Royal party, they have a very odd view of performances as most of the stage is obscured. The box is also directly above the brass section of the orchestra. Therefore, for most galas from the late 1940s onwards, a Royal Box was created in the centre of the Grand Tier (equivalent of the Dress Circle in most theatres), which gave the Royal party an excellent view of the full stage.

Great Britain’s leading theatre designer from the early 1930s to the mid 1950s, Oliver Messel (1904-1978) won international acclaim for his lavish, painterly and poetic designs informed by period styles. His work spans ballet, drama, film, musical, opera and revue. Messel’s traditional style of theatre design became unfashionable from the mid 1950s onwards, and he increasingly concentrated on painting, interior and textile design, including designing luxury homes in the Caribbean.

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 80816434067

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.4 ★★★★★
Based on 28 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
A
Verified Purchase
Amy Oyer
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
Good for exfoliating
Color: Beige (4 Packs)
These are great for saving and using soap slivers. I can't stand to throw out something useful but once they get too small they're hard to hold onto. I had a mesh bag but it started to come apart and I thought these would hold up better. These bags are thick and sturdy. They're a little stiff at first but softened up quickly. They're great for exfoliating. The only change I would like to see is the wood closing bead changed to a locking clip as it slides open all the time.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2026
E
Verified Purchase
EliteTech
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
Great product!
Color: Beige (8 Packs)
I buy handmade soap from a local soap maker, but I’ve always had trouble with it lasting—if I leave it in a soap dish, it never dries properly and melts away too quickly. I used to use loofah socks, but they were frustrating: the knots wouldn’t stay tied and they tore apart easily. I decided to give these a try, and I’m impressed! I had a couple of concerns going in. First, I wasn’t sure they’d fit the larger-sized handmade bars I use—but they do! It’s a snug fit at first, which can make lathering a bit tricky, but after one or two uses it softens up and starts to lather beautifully—honestly, better than the mesh loofahs I’ve used. The design is thoughtful: the knot stays secure, and the bead keeps the soap from slipping out—both huge improvements over other products I’ve tried. The biggest surprise? The exfoliation. It’s effective without being harsh, even on sensitive areas. My skin felt softer than it ever did with sugar or salt scrubs. That’s an unexpected bonus I didn’t even realize I needed! Highly recommend—especially if you’re using handmade or natural soaps and want to make them last longer.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2025
L
Verified Purchase
Larry Eyman Jr
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
Fantastic purchase completely happy
Color: Beige (4 Packs)
Awesome soap bag the construction is very sturdy and allows for good lathering and I would definitely purchase them again. It also helps with exfoliating so you’re getting two birds with one stone.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2026
A
Verified Purchase
Amelia Rieves
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 4
Great product for the price, would buy again!
Color: Beige (4 Packs)
Great bags. There is a ball to pull the top right but it slides back open so I just tied a knot in it but idk how I'll get it out to put more soap in. Otherwise a great product! Glad I bought them! Color is neutral, lather is good, very durable, easy to use, could be a little rougher (in my opinion) it's on the soft side, functions great besides top coming open, very durable!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2025
P
Verified Purchase
Pickles
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 5
Small to big soaps, not exfoliating
Color: Beige (4 Packs)
My soaps haven’t slipped out. I use dove bars and smaller round soap bars in them and I haven’t had any issues. They leave a room around my dove soap bars. I’m glad I can bar small to large soaps in this bag. I haven’t need to tie a knot on the end like I often need to do. They feel like a soft scrub on my body, not exfoliating. I enjoy my tan colors.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2026

recommand products