Royal Opera House Condemns Flag Protest on Stage

During the curtain call of the final performance of Il trovatore at London's Royal Opera House, a cast member unfurled a large Palestinian flag on stage, resisting staff efforts to remove it. The Royal Opera House condemned the act as spontaneous and unauthorized, emphasizing its commitment to political impartiality and clarifying that it was not approved by the Royal Ballet and Opera. Audience members applauded during the incident, while online reactions ranged from shock to calls for disciplinary action. The protest took place amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, adding political significance to the event. The cast member's identity has not been disclosed. The production has since concluded its run.