Once, this spot held more than just memories. This is where the Teatro Apolo once stood. Today, only a plaque remains. It marks the spot of a vibrant past. From 1873 to 1929, the Teatro Apolo was a Madrid cultural hub.
Imagine the excitement. The Teatro Apolo hosted lively zarzuelas. These one-act performances were a Madrid sensation. The género chico debuted here. The Apolo and Felipe theatres led the way.
The Teatro Apolo’s story began before its grand opening. The site was once the Convento de San Hermenegildo. In 1836, the convent was sold. By 1870, it was demolished. This cleared the stage for something new.
Construction started in 1871. French architects P. Chauderlot and F. Festau designed the Teatro Apolo. It took two years to complete. In 1873, the Teatro Apolo opened its doors. It could hold 2,500 people. Actor Manuel Catalina’s company performed at the opening.
The Teatro Apolo faced early challenges. It was far from the city center back then. Tickets were expensive. Despite this, it became a beloved comedy playhouse.
But the Teatro Apolo’s glory days ended in 1929. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria bought the theater. They demolished it to build their Madrid headquarters. Today, the Department of Finance and Administration stands here. It is a city of Madrid building.
The Teatro Apolo may be gone. But its legacy lives on. The Apolo’s owners built the Teatro Nuevo Apolo. It keeps the spirit of the original alive.
The Teatro Nuevo Apolo has its own rich history. It opened as Teatro del Progreso in 1932. The name came from the plaza. Architects Urosa and Saavedra Fajardo designed it. They used a pseudo-baroque and deco style.
In 1987, it became the Nuevo Apolo. José Tamargo directed a zarzuela anthology. Ramón Madurga owned the theater. He was the grandson of the original promoter.
Today, the Teatro Nuevo Apolo hosts diverse shows. There is dance, music, musicals, and plays. Artists like Sara Baras and Joaquín Cortés have graced its stage. It has staged productions of Les Miserables and Chicago.
So, while the Teatro Apolo plaque marks a loss, remember its impact. It paved the way for the Teatro Nuevo Apolo. The spirit of Madrid’s zarzuela lives on.