MADRID Information: PLAZA
ISABEL II |
Leaving Encarnacion Square, whose peaceful and secluded atmosphere
seems to be an extension of the convent, Arrieta Street goes down
to Isabel II Square, more commonly known as Opera. The visitor has
arrived at the most musical part of Madrid, dominated by the facade
of the Royal Theatre, a well-established concert hall. Sheltering
under the aura of the theatre are small cafes and shops selling records
and orchestral instruments, where the city's music lovers and high
society have traditionally gathered in quiet numbers.
The Royal Theatre was built in the first half of the 19th century
and inaugurated in 1850, on Isabel 1I 's birthday, with Donnizetti's
opera La Favorita. From then on, premiere followed premiere, and Verdi's
arias were heard in the theatre, while his choruses were hummed on
the street and in cafes. Wagner's pompous creations were staged and
some ballets in the 20th century, one even bringing the famous NDinsky
to the theatre. The coming and going of families linked to the court
and high finance meant that they were always near this world of artists,
and they considered the opera an excellent setting for social interaction.
I nside the theatre there was a florist's, a patisserie and even some
dressmakers to put the finishing touches to their clothes.
The theatre was redesigned in the fifties, and in the sixties it reopened
as a concert hall until the latest renovation was carried out. which
restored the building to its original role as an opera house. The
work took nine years, and the theatre was inaugurated in October 1997,
one of the most technically advance classical music auditoriums in
the world. Apart from a certain 19th century charm, the square also
lists the 12th century remains of the second walled precinct of Madrid
among its treasures. During the Arab conquest. the wall surrounded
the area where the Almudena Cathedral (Catedral de La Almudena) and
the Oriente Palace stand today, but which was then a Muslim fortress.
The Christian forces used part of the precinct to build another wall
going right through Opera, along the narrow Escalinata Street, round
La Puerta Cerrada Square up to what is significantly known as the
Moors Gate. Very little remains of this Christian wall, but something
that is especially interesting is an example of the ancient keystones,
which can be seen in the basement of a hamburger bar at number 3,
Isabel II Square.
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