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| Auditorio Príncipe Felipe (Oviedo) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Auditorio Príncipe Felipe |
| Location | Oviedo, Asturias, Spain |
| Opened | 1991 |
| Architect | Santiago Calatrava |
| Capacity | 1,600 |
| Type | Concert hall |
Auditorio Príncipe Felipe (Oviedo) is a concert hall and cultural venue in Oviedo within the autonomous community of Asturias, Spain. The building, completed in the early 1990s, is associated with contemporary Santiago Calatrava architectural practice and serves as a home for orchestral, operatic, and contemporary music linked to institutions such as the Orquesta Sinfónica del Principado de Asturias and festivals like the Festival de Música de Oviedo. It forms part of Oviedo's network of cultural sites alongside the Campoamor Theatre, Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias, and the Cathedral of San Salvador, Oviedo.
The auditorium was commissioned by the Principality of Asturias government during the administration of regional presidents including Pedro de Silva and Sergio Marqués, reflecting late-20th-century cultural policy influenced by European Union regional development programs and Spain's post-Transition public investment in the arts. Construction began after design competition phases that engaged international practices such as Santiago Calatrava's studio and local contractors associated with firms from Madrid, Bilbao, and Valencia. The opening ceremonies featured participation by political figures from José María Aznar's national government and cultural leaders from institutions like the Instituto Cervantes and the Ministry of Culture. Over subsequent decades the venue hosted touring ensembles from networks including the European Concert Hall Organisation and collaborated with Spanish companies such as the Teatro Real and the Gran Teatre del Liceu.
The design is attributed to Santiago Calatrava, whose work elsewhere includes the Gare do Oriente, the Turning Torso, and the Milwaukee Art Museum addition; the auditorium shares visual vocabularies with structures like the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias and the Auditorio de Tenerife. Exterior forms employ reinforced concrete and steel reminiscent of Calatrava's biomorphic approach seen in the World Trade Center Transportation Hub concept and the Puente de la Mujer. The facade engages urban axes related to Oviedo's Parque de San Francisco and the Avenida de la Constitución, creating sightlines towards the Old Town, Oviedo and the University of Oviedo. Interior volumes evoke modern examples such as the Barbican Centre and the Philharmonie de Paris in pursuit of a balance between sculptural intent and functional circulation comparable to projects overseen by firms like Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and Foster + Partners.
The main hall seats roughly 1,600 and was developed to accommodate symphonic repertoire performed by ensembles such as the Orquesta Sinfónica del Principado de Asturias, chamber groups similar to Kronos Quartet, and soloists associated with institutions like the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic. Auxiliary spaces include a chamber music hall, rehearsal rooms, dressing rooms used by companies such as Compañía Nacional de Danza and Teatro de la Zarzuela, and technical workshops comparable to those at the Teatro Real. Acoustic consultancy drew on practices exemplified by firms that worked on the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Elbphilharmonie, featuring adjustable acoustic banners, variable stage towers, and timber-lined surfaces to suit repertoire from Baroque music ensembles to contemporary electroacoustic collectives.
Programming blends classical concerts, opera productions, contemporary music series, and touring Broadway-style productions similar to those presented at the Palau de la Música Catalana and the Gran Teatre del Liceu. The auditorium hosts annual series linked to the Festival de Música de Oviedo, collaborations with the Aula de Música Antigua de la Universidad de Oviedo, and residencies involving artists represented by agencies such as IMG Artists and Opus 3 Artists. It also accommodates civic events involving the Principality of Asturias and cultural ceremonies tied to the Princess of Asturias Awards ecosystem, while partnering with European networks like the European Festivals Association.
Noteworthy appearances include engagements by conductors associated with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, soloists from the Juilliard School alumni roster, and chamber residencies by ensembles comparable to Gidon Kremer's Kremerata Baltica and recordings overseen by labels such as Deutsche Grammophon and Harmonia Mundi. The hall has been chosen for live recordings, radio broadcasts for Spanish outlets like Radio Nacional de España and projects involving producers from Deutsche Welle and BBC Radio 3. Guest companies include touring productions from the Teatro alla Scala, the Vienna State Opera, and ballet companies akin to the Paris Opera Ballet.
Ownership resides with the Principality of Asturias regional administration and municipal partners from Oviedo City Council, with management models influenced by Spanish public cultural bodies such as the INAEM and collaborations with private operators comparable to AEG Presents and Live Nation for touring logistics. Artistic direction has interfaced with local institutions including the Conservatorio Profesional de Música de Oviedo and partnerships with foundations like the Prince of Asturias Foundation for programming aligned with regional cultural strategy.
The auditorium is situated in the urban fabric of Oviedo near transportation nodes linking to Gijón, Avilés, and the broader Asturias Airport corridor, with local transit provided by services like the TUA buses and regional rail connections via Renfe Cercanías Asturias. Pedestrian routes connect the venue to landmarks such as the Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias, the Campoamor Theatre, and the Plaza de la Escandalera, while road access follows the AS-II road and provincial links toward León and Santander.
Category:Concert halls in Spain Category:Buildings and structures in Oviedo