Teatro Real

Teatro Real is the national opera house of Spain, located on the Plaza de Oriente in central Madrid. The theatre dates from the mid-19th century and occupies a prominent position opposite the Royal Palace.

The house presents opera, ballet and orchestral concerts and has modern stage and backstage facilities after major renovations in the late 20th century. The auditorium serves a national repertoire and international guest productions and is one of Madrid’s principal performing arts venues.

Construction began in the early 19th century and the theatre opened in the mid-19th century; it has undergone multiple restorations since, most recently a comprehensive modernisation in the 1990s that upgraded staging, acoustic and audience facilities.

The theatre sits in central Madrid on the west side of the historic core, immediately north of the Royal Palace and within walking distance of major central transport connections.

• Location: Located on the Plaza de Oriente directly opposite the Royal Palace, making it part of Madrid's historic cultural axis.
• Dates: Originally inaugurated in the mid-19th century and comprehensively modernised and reopened after late 20th century renovations to provide up-to-date stage facilities.