The
Royal Opera House, Covent Garden has long been the premier opera company
in Great Britain. Immediately after
World War II, it was at Covent Garden that many displaced European opera stars found
compassion. Kirsten Flagstad, whose
reputation had been destroyed in America by false accusations and unable to
return to Norway, was warmly welcomed in London. Hans Hotter also sought refuge in London after the war, singing
regularly at Covent Garden. Since that
time, the company has remained quite international, drawing conductors as well
as soloists.