Teatro Real, Opera house near Royal Palace, Madrid, Spain
Teatro Real is an opera house near the Royal Palace in Madrid and shows a neoclassical façade with columns and decorated balconies. Inside there is a large auditorium with several tiers, modernized stage facilities, and rehearsal rooms for singers and musicians.
Isabel II supported the construction and the house opened its doors in 1850 to the public. It later closed due to structural problems and reopened after extensive work in the late 20th century.
Leading opera singers and conductors use the house for performances that often run multiple nights in a season. Audiences arrive in formal attire and attend premieres that count as social events in the capital.
Visitors can join guided tours that walk through the auditorium and behind the stage. The main season for performances runs from autumn to spring, and tickets should be booked in advance.
Below the stage lie huge mechanical systems that change sets and props in minutes. Technicians work in underground rooms that run deep beneath the square.
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