Madrid, European Capital of the Opera

USPA NEWS - From the 6th to the 8th of May, Madrid will celebrate the International Conference of Opera Europe, which will gather, at the Teatro Real, representatives of 150 opera theatres from more than 40 countries all over the world and will turn Madrid into the European Capital of the Opera.

The Conference, whose main discussion point will be the use of new technologies as a tool for the spreading of the opera, will coincide with the celebration of the “European Days of Opera“, for the first time since the Conference in Paris, 2007, and the launch of the digital opera project. Among the activities planned on the occasion of both celebrations is the screening of opera and children´s shows on different outdoor screens.

Programming of the season

Furthermore, in the 19th season of the Teatro Real since its reopening in 1997, five new opera productions, co-produced all major theaters, will be presented; four guest productions, three operas in concert and two chamber operas to be offered in the Canal Theatre. The program is completed with three dance performances and concerts in sixteen cycles integrated Voices of the Real, wicked Sessions and the newly created Dancing on the volcano.

Among the novelties of the season include premieres of 'Alcina', one of the best operas of Handel's extensive catalog, with stage director David Alden and, above all, 'The Ban on Love' by Richard Wagner, youth work unjustly relegated to the Royal Theatre and the Royal Opera House rescued from oblivion with the complicity of Kasper Holten, head of stage direction, and Ivor Bolton, musical director of the Teatro Real. Wagner's opera is based on 'Measure for Measure' by William Shakespeare, of whom the fourth centenary of his death is commemorated. As part of this event has been scheduled in the Canal Theatre the play '2 delusions about Shakespeare,' by Alfredo Aracil.