We must make sure 'crucial' arts institutions survive the coronavirus pandemic, says Prince Charles

Zoe Paskett26 May 2020

Prince Charles has warned about the “terrible” impact of the pandemic on arts institutions.

Speaking during an interview on Classic FM, the Prince of Wales expressed his concerns about how theatres and classical music venues would get back on their feet.

He said: "They're in terrible difficulties, of course, because how are they going to be able to restart?

"It is a very expensive art form, but it is crucial because it has such a worldwide impact.

"We have to find a way to make sure these marvellous people and organisations are going to survive through all this."

Asked by presenter Alan Titchmarsh whether he thought this possible he replied: “I hope so, because otherwise we’ve all had it. Life becomes insupportable.”

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The Prince of Wales is a patron of dozens of arts institutions, including the Royal Opera House, which has reported 60 per cent of its income lost since the crisis began.

A number of arts institutions, including the National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe and Southbank Centre, have also warned about the potential of financial collapse without help from the government. Playwright James Graham spoke on BBC Question Time about the theatre industry needing an “investment” rather than a bailout, adding that “in London alone tourists bring in £2bn of cash a year specifically for London theatre”.

The Prince of Wales also emphasised that the arts are of “enormous importance” to the economy.

“It’s absolutely crucial that they can come back twice as enthusiastic as before.”

During the programme, the first of two on Classic FM celebrating his love of classical music, he recalled his first visit to the opera house in 1956 to see a performance of The Fountain of Bakhchisarai by the Bolshoi Ballet. He said he found the experience “unbelievably exciting”.

“I was completely inspired by that.”

He chose to play music by Vivaldi, Haydn, Bach and Strauss, performed by musicians such as Nicola Benedetti and Jacqueline du Pré.

The Prince of Wales will be presenting a show on Classic FM this evening at 8pm, in which he will share some more of his favourite pieces of classical music including Frédéric Chopin’s piano concertos, the Four Last Songs of Richard Strauss, and Julius Benedict’s Piano Concerto in E flat.

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