TheTeatro de la Zarzuelais a theatre inMadrid,Spain.The theatre is today mainly devoted tozarzuela(the Spanish traditional musical theatre genre), as well asoperettaandrecitals.[1][2]
 Main façade of the Teatro de la Zarzuela | |
 | |
| Location | Madrid,Spain |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°25′02″N3°41′48″W/ 40.417185°N 3.696782°W |
| Capacity | 1,242 seats |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 10 October 1856 |
| Reopened | 1914 |
| Rebuilt | 1910–1913 |
| Architect |
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| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| Designated | 4 March 1994 |
| Reference no. | RI-51-0008693 |
History
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The theatre was designed by architectJerónimo de la Gándaraand built byJosé María Sánchez Guallarton the initiative of the Spanish Lyrical Company to provide a space for performances of operettas in the Spanish capital. It was modelled on theLa Scalatheatre inMilanwith its three-level horseshoe form and opened to the public on 10 October 1856, the birthday ofQueen Isabella II.The name refers to zarzuela, a theatre form that alternates spoken and sung scenes. Its promoters were established masters of the genre such asFrancisco Asenjo Barbieri,Joaquín Gaztambide,Rafael Hernando,José Inzenga,baritonoFrancisco de Salas, librettistLuis de Olonaand composerCristóbal Oudrid,under Francisco de las Rivas, an important banker.
In the second half of the nineteenth century, Teatro de la Zarzuela became Madrid's leading zarzuela theatre, staging many of the great masterworks. On November 9, 1909 the building was virtually destroyed by fire. The rebuild by Cesareo Iradier reduced the amount of wood and metal, and in 1914 MaestroLunaraised the curtain with his orchestra to reopen the theatre. With theTeatro Realopera house closed from 1925 to 1997, Teatro de la Zarzuela remained Madrid's leading venue throughout the period and hosted most major opera events.[1]The theatre's resident ensemble is theCommunity of Madrid Orchestra.
The ceiling originally featured magnificent works by the paintersFrancisco Hernández Toméand Manuel Castellanos, but these were destroyed in renovations and structural changes that were made in 1956.[3]The theatre then was acquired by theSociedad General de Autores,although much of the facade and interior ornamentation was lost. Later it became the property of the state. In 1984 theMinistry of Culture,with Madrid still lacking an opera house, expanded the range of activities beyond zarzuela and opera to encompass flamenco and other dance. The building was given heritage status in 1994, and in 1998 was again remodelled, restoring much of the original structure and form.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abcA theatre for a genre... History of the Teatro de la Zarzuela
- ^Teatro de la Zarzuela - Timeout MadridArchived2009-09-08 at theWayback Machine
- ^Isserlis, Steven (2009).Anthem Guide to the Opera, Concert Halls and Classical Music Venues of Europe.Anthem Press. p. 408.ISBN978-1843312727.