The Teatro Real celebrates the eleventh Opera Week with four free broadcasts in Isabel II Square, from this Thursday, July 9, until Sunday, July 12. 1,100 seats will be installed for the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
Isabel II Square, in the heart of Madrid, will transform into an improvised open-air auditorium starting this Thursday. The Teatro Real has set up 1,100 seats for locals and tourists to enjoy four of its latest productions without paying a penny. Access is free until capacity is reached.
This initiative is part of the eleventh edition of Opera Week, which kicks off on July 9 and runs until Sunday, July 12. The aim, according to sources from the Teatro Real, is to bring the lyrical genre closer to all audiences and take the music out of the building in Plaza de Oriente to the heart of the city.
Programme: from Romeo and Juliet to Swan Lake
On Thursday, July 9, Romeo and Juliet, one of Gounod's most universal operas, will be screened. On Friday, July 10, Il trovatore by Verdi, which closes the season at the Real, will be shown live. On Saturday, July 11, The Bartered Bride by Smetana will be available, and on Sunday, July 12, Swan Lake: The New Generation, a contemporary version of Tchaikovsky's classic ballet, will be presented.
All sessions start at 21:30. The organisation recommends arriving early to secure a seat, as there are no prior reservations. Those who cannot find a seat will be able to follow the broadcast on the giant screen from the surrounding areas of the square.
Open Day and Social Media Giveaways
In addition to the screenings, the Teatro Real has organised an open day. Visitors can access the theatre for free through Plaza de Oriente and tour the stage, the main hall, the boxes, and the lounges. It is a unique opportunity to see inside one of the most important coliseums in Europe.
Throughout the week, tickets for Il trovatore (which closes the season) and Manon Lescaut (which will open the next one), as well as for the concert by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will be raffled off via social media and the Real's website. Interested parties can participate by following the theatre's official accounts.
For the residents of Madrid, this is an unmissable event. Isabel II Square, popularly known as the Opera Square, fills every summer with music lovers and curious onlookers enjoying music in a privileged setting. Entry is free and, although the capacity is large, it fills up quickly. Those who want to experience it from the front row should arrive early.
In previous editions, Opera Week has attracted thousands of people, establishing itself as a classic in the Madrid cultural calendar. The combination of top-level opera, an outdoor atmosphere, and zero cost continues to be a magnet for the public. This year, moreover, the variety of titles promises to please both enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
The Teatro Real has confirmed that, weather permitting, all broadcasts will take place as scheduled. In case of rain, updates will be provided through their official channels. In the meantime, all that remains is to choose the performance and let the music take over.
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