The Royal Albert Hall is a registered charity, held in trust for the nation’s benefit. Our purpose is to promote the Arts and Sciences and preserve and enhance our Grade I listed building. The world’s leading figures in music, dance, sport and politics have appeared on our stage since we opened in 1871, and now over 1.7 million people enjoy live experiences here every year, with millions more experiencing our events through broadcasts, recordings and new media channels. Our iconic venue is open to the public during the day through tours of the building, live music in Verdi, and free exhibitions, and is home to the Elgar Room, a state-of-the art small-scale performance space.