Opera House sends begging letters

The cash-strapped Royal Opera House has sent "begging" letters to supporters asking them to pay for stage props to help it out of financial difficulty.

In the letter to regular goers, director Francesa Zambello warns that the house - the most heavily subsidised arts company in the country - urgently needs donations.

American Miss Zambello tells members of the house's Friends organisation: "If the Royal Opera is to maintain world class standards and continue to provide a rich programme of new works and productions, we need even more of your money."

In an unusual appeal, she asks wouldbe donors for £150 to pay for Macbeth's gold crown, £250 for Othello's sword, £500 for a wig in Queen of Spades, £750 for a rifle in il Trovatore, £1,500 for a sedan chair in Don Giovanni and £4,500 for a Madonna in the same opera.

The appeal has outraged some members of the Friends. One, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Telegraph: "The letter is tacky and comes across as desperate. You pay more than £100 for a good ticket already. I don't know why I should pay another £150 for a crown."

Two years ago the Government was forced to subsidise the venue by a further £5 million, increasing its grant to £20 million. It was the only way to ensure the Royal Opera House reopened after its controversial £120 million refurbishment.

The rebuilding closure drove the house to the brink of bankruptcy and the letter has been interpreted as a sign it is still struggling. Royal Opera House officials deny it is heading into further financial problems and described the letter as "a recognised fund-raising tactic".

A spokesman said: "Opera fans are not being asked to pay for individual props, but the cost of making the items was included in the letter as an example of the expense of staging a production."