The Stage

Royal Opera House chief Tony Hall given peerage

Published Monday 8 February 2010 at 14:22 by Alistair Smith

Royal Opera House chief executive Tony Hall has been awarded a peerage in the House of Lords.

Tony Hall has received a peerage Photo: Rob Moore

His precise title has not yet been confirmed, but Hall, who is also chair of the Cultural Olympiad board, has been appointed as a non-party political peer.

He commented: “I am hugely honoured to be offered this new role. It’s a real privilege and I’m delighted not only for myself but for the extraordinary team of colleagues I have at the Royal Opera House who work so hard day in, day out, to produce the very best opera and ballet in the world. I remain fully committed to them and to ensuring that our work continues to be seen by as many people, of all ages and backgrounds, as possible.

“My keen interest in all facets of the creative industries, something that Britain does so brilliantly, increases all the time. Working for over 30 years in broadcasting and the arts has shown me what a massive impact artistic endeavour can have, how it can change lives, and provide unique and fantastic ways to help learning in the broadest sense. I feel strongly that we need to find new ways of developing skills and nurturing the undoubted talents in young people so that they can reach their full potential in these fields. The creative industries are a vital part of our national identity and I plan to do my best to ensure that they continue to flourish in the future.”