Why are covent garden seat prices so high?

Conclusions: The Royal Opera House could resort less and less to guest artists of intermational standing; it could lean more heavily than it already does on old favourites; it could skimp on new productions; and it could increase the number of ballet performances at the expense of opera. All these measures would tend to hold down seat prices. But without a substantial increase in its Arts Council grant, the Royal Opera House could not significantly cut seat prices unless it drastically changed its basic artistic policy. It is not my purpose to advocate. The choice is yours. Indeed, the choice is everyone's, including people who never go to ballet or opera, because everyone is paying for ballet and opera seats.