Case study

Royal Ballet & Opera: #DIESE at the Core of a Digital Ecosystem

February 18, 2026
Royal Opera House - S tanton Williams. digital ecosystem

For over a decade, the Royal Ballet & Opera in London has relied on #DIESE to structure and centralize its information system. With its complex operations, the institution has positioned #DIESE as the hub of its digital ecosystem.

Managing Complexity of the Ecosystem in a World-Class Institution

The Royal Ballet & Opera combines opera, ballet, a permanent orchestra, and a choir. It operates two stages in Covent Garden, production workshops, and logistics spaces in Essex. Coordinating artistic and technical teams across multiple sites is a daily challenge.

The dense season schedule, multiple productions, and cast management require a reliable, consolidated view of data. The goal was not only planning but integrating business processes with finance, ticketing, payroll, and even health tracking tools for performers.

Phase 1: Centralizing Production and Activity Data

The first project, delivered in 2015, focused on stage equipment and costume management for opera and ballet productions.

By 2019, #DIESE became a centralized activity planning system:

  • Managing spaces and occupancy across sites
  • Season programming, production management, and cast coordination
  • Space commercialization
  • Centralized contact management

Integration with Tessitura, the ticketing and CRM system, ensured that #DIESE worked seamlessly within the Royal’s broader digital ecosystem.

Phase 2: Planning Artists and Teams in a Unified System

In 2023, the Royal advanced further by centralizing artist and staff scheduling.

#DIESE now allows the institution to plan:

  • Ballet teams
  • Front-of-house staff
  • Technical crews
  • Opera and choir ensembles

The system manages complex pay rules and collective agreements, and exports payroll data efficiently. Teams have moved away from scattered Word and Excel files into a structured, comprehensive system.

Advanced Use Case: Ballet Scheduling

Ballet operations are among the most advanced applications of #DIESE. Detailed dancer schedules are displayed on timeline views tailored to artistic needs.

An on-site dashboard provides real-time visibility, while MyDiese allows dancers to consult their schedules and book health appointments. Integration with Smartabase ensures that artistic planning and health management coexist smoothly.

Strategic Integrations Across the Digital Ecosystem

#DIESE connects with:

  • Tessitura (ticketing and CRM)
  • Business Central (finance)
  • Smartabase (health tracking)
  • Dayforce (payroll)
  • The Royal Ballet & Opera website and streaming platform

API processes guarantee smooth data flow, ensuring #DIESE functions as the operational core, not a standalone tool.

Benefits: Visibility, Consistency, and Operational Control

The Royal Ballet & Opera now benefits from:

  • A centralized production database
  • Consolidated cast and resource information
  • Unified team schedules
  • Seamless integration with strategic systems

Strong governance and parallel project streams ensured the project’s success. The centralized system now provides a solid foundation for future optimizations and digital transformations.

Ready to streamline your institution’s operations?
Learn how #DIESE can centralize planning, manage productions, and integrate digital systems for your organization. Request a personalized demo today.