Founded in 1736 to ease the plight of London's abandoned children, the hospital also became Britain's first art gallery. The original
building is now a museum which tells the moving story of the foundlings and houses works by Hogarth, Gainsborough and Reynolds. Lars Tharp,
curator of the Hogarth Collection and known from his appearances on BBC's Antiques Road Show, will introduce us to the museum.
After lunch we cross over to Covent Garden and the Royal Opera House for a "behind-the-scenes" tour of one of the world's greatest theatres as it
prepares for the evening performance. We will be introduced to the colourful history of the theatre, be given an insight into the redevelopment of the
Opera House and look at aspects of current productions including the magnificent backstage technology.
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