When discussing Madrid’s cultural scene, it’s impossible not to mention the Teatro de la Zarzuela. This iconic venue, located in the Plaza de Teresa Berganza in the Justicia neighborhood, is much more than just a beautiful building; it’s the heart of the city. Spanish lyric poetry
Currently, the theater operates under the auspices of the National Institute of Performing Arts and Music (INAEM). Its mission is not only to stage plays, but also to rescue and disseminate the repertoire of zarzuela, ensuring that these pieces are not forgotten and continue to be performed both here and abroad. Furthermore, it is very common to find the National Dance Company or the National Ballet of Spain in its halls, making it a hub of activity. multidisciplinary artistic creativity.
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A journey through its history and architecture
It all began on October 10, 1856, coinciding with the birthday of Queen Isabella II. Thanks to the drive of the Spanish Lyric Society and the financial backing of banker Francisco de las Rivas, maestros like Barbieri and Gaztambide managed to build a temple dedicated to zarzuela. The original design was the work of Jerónimo de Gándara, although the final execution was entrusted to José María Guallart. They were inspired by La Scala in Milancreating that horseshoe-shaped structure with three levels of boxes that gives it such a stately air.
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. In November 1909, a devastating fire reduced the theater to almost nothing, barely saving the facade. Work quickly began to rebuild it between 1910 and 1913, using less flammable materials like metal instead of so much wood. This new project was led by Cesáreo Iradier and José Martínez de Ubago, allowing Maestro Luna to raise the curtain once again in 1914.
Over the decades, ownership changed several times. In 1955 it passed to the General Society of Authors of Spain, undergoing a reform that, unfortunately, erased part of its ornamentation and facade. It wasn’t until 1963 that the State took control, and later, in 1984, the Ministry of Culture broadened the range of activities to include the opera and flamenco, given the lack of a dedicated opera house in the capital.
Recognition and modern evolution
In 1994, the building was declared A Cultural And shortly after, in 1998, it was granted the title of National Monument. This distinction was accompanied by a complete renovation to restore its original splendor and refocus its activity on Spanish lyric poetry. Since then, the Orchestra of the Community of Madrid has become the theater’s resident company.
There was a tense moment in 2018 when a merger of the theater with the Teatro Real was proposed, which would have relegated the Teatro de la Zarzuela to a secondary role. This sparked major strikes among INAEM workers, but in the end, the Ministry of Culture… ruled out the mergermaintaining the independence and essence of the venue. A recent and very significant milestone occurred in November 2023, when Isamay Benavente assumed the directorship, being the first woman in leading the theater in its almost 170 years of history.
Programming, services and social projects
The theater is not limited to large-scale productions. It offers a varied program that includes concerts and specialized series such as Notas Ambigú or the Lied Cycle, where the short lyrical song She is the star. They also have their own choir, directed since 1994 by Antonio Fauró, capable of performing everything from oratorios to complex operas.
Something worthy of applause is their commitment to new generations through the Zarza ProjectThis initiative aims to introduce young people to the genre through adaptations of classics such as La verbena de la Paloma or La Revoltosa. An example of this success was the show Amores en Zarza, premiered in 2021, which combines various musical numbers for attracting young audiences.
For those visiting the theater, there are practical services that make the experience more enjoyable. In the main lobby, you’ll find the gift shop and a free cloakroom. Also noteworthy is the ambiguousA bar located on the first floor that opens before performances and during intermissions. Interestingly, this space is not only used for drinks, but also for… small-format performances.
This Madrid venue has withstood the test of time, surviving fires and political changes to establish itself as the great bastion of opera in Spain. With a capacity of 1242 people and a management focused on both artistic excellence and the education of young people, the Teatro de la Zarzuela remains a an essential cultural reference in the heart of Madrid.