During the final performance of Giuseppe Verdi's 'Il Trovatore' at London's Royal Opera House on July 19, 2025, a performer held a Palestinian flag during the curtain call, prompting backstage efforts to remove it.

The act of displaying the flag led to a stage scuffle and 'extraordinary scenes,' with the performer resisting staff's attempts to take it down, amid mixed audience reactions.

This incident occurs against the backdrop of ongoing conflict in Gaza, which escalated after Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023, resulting in significant casualties.

The Royal Opera House condemned the act as unauthorized and inappropriate, emphasizing it was a spontaneous gesture not sanctioned by the company, which has not yet announced disciplinary measures.

Similar protests supporting Palestine have taken place in the UK, including at Glastonbury Festival, where artists like Kneecap and Bob Vylan expressed solidarity, sparking police investigations.

These protests reflect a broader trend of performers and artists showing solidarity with Palestine amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, with some, like Wolf Alice, publicly supporting the cause.

The act of raising the Palestinian flag has ignited discussions about its implications in the current geopolitical climate and sentiments surrounding the Palestinian cause.

Audience reactions to the incident were mixed, with some expressing disapproval and others supporting the protest, highlighting the polarized views on such acts.

The incident took place at the encore of the opera's final night, concluding an 11-night run at Covent Garden, marking the end of a production directed by Adele Thomas.

'Il Trovatore,' composed by Giuseppe Verdi in 1853, explores themes of desire and civil war, and the current production reimagines these themes within a modern context.

The production, running for two and a half hours, is a reinterpretation of Verdi’s classic opera, set in 15th century Spain, with a focus on obsession and conflict.

The incident has sparked controversy, with some audience members suggesting potential repercussions for the performer involved.