Teatro Real

On the 13^th of November, Teatro Real was awarded the latest in a string of accolades: the 2025 Sustainability Award from the prestigious International Opera Awards. Founded in 2012 by the British Opera Magazine, they are considered the Oscars of the lyrical world. For Ignacio García-Belenguer, the General Director of Teatro Real, this recognition emphasises two things: “The first is that we are going in the right direction, and the second is that every year our proposals are appreciated by the industry and the public.” And he adds: “We are particularly proud of being selected in the sustainability category because Teatro Real has made a significant effort in this sense.” Ignacio accepts that none of this would have been possible without the support of the European Union, specifically the Next Generation funds. Nor without sponsors like Iberia, whom Ignacio thanks for their collaboration: “Iberia, with whom we share the need to reduce our environmental footprint within a framework of sustainability and transparency, plays a significant role.”

The jury of the International Opera Awards, whose ceremony was held at the Stavros Niarchos Hall in Athens (Greece), appreciated the work plan, the continuous work and improvement measures for energy efficiency performed both on the roof and inside the Teatro Real in recent years. A combination of talent, responsibility and perseverance. “It is so important that culture and ecological transition go hand in hand. We have also bet on innovation and sustainability while maintaining the architectural integrity of an iconic building,” notes its General Director. These actions include the installation of hundreds of walkable solar panels on its roof, a technological and symbolic achievement, as Ignacio remarks: “Teatro Real is the first historical building in the world to produce photovoltaic solar energy thanks to its walkable solar panel roof. It’s a unique experience we hope to share soon with those visiting Madrid.”

Teatro Real’s commitment to sustainability wasn’t built in a day and at this institution they are already looking towards the future. “One of our most ambitious goals is the production of a completely sustainable opera, analysing the life cycle of all the materials used. It’s the horizon that we need to walk towards,” Ignacio explains. Appointed as General Director of Teatro Real in April 2012, he has been one of the main driving forces behind this commitment to sustainability, which, he admits, has received the support of everyone within the institution: “Sustainability is the only valid alternative for the future and our workers are involved in this cause. We understood that we needed to be responsible about or energy management and our use of resources. We’ve been working on this for some time, but our work has accelerated since the pandemic.” Already in 2019, Teatro Real started an energy optimisation process—called Teatro Más Sostenible [More Sustainable Theatre]—in order to become a Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZBE).

“One of our most ambitious goals is the production of a completely sustainable opera. It’s the horizon that we need to walk towards”

Other administrations have also joined all the members of Teatro Real in their commitment. Without the aforementioned Next Generation funds from the European Union, none of this would have been possible, admits Ignacio, but neither without the implication of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, the Community of Madrid and the City Council of Madrid. Nor without sponsors like Iberia, among others. So, Teatro Real has turned into the first Place of Cultural Interest (PIC) to enter the register of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge. “We are the only PIC, of the more than 19,000 registered in Spain, with nearly zero energy consumption (NZBE). We also have energy saving certificates (CAEs)—explains Ignacio—. We have not only achieved the energy savings we set ourselves, but we have surpassed them.” And the data confirms it: 50% less energy consumption and a 45% reduction in water consumption in the last five-year period. “All without pausing our artistic programme,” Ignacio reminds us.

Teatro Real has made energy efficiency improvements to its roof to reduce its carbon footprint. © Javier del Real – Teatro Real

The roof of Teatro Real boasts privileged views of the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral. © Teatro Real

The roof, spanning 1,500 m², has been refurbished with the installation of hundreds of walkable solar panels. © Teatro Real

Teatro Real is the first historical building in the world to produce photovoltaic solar energy. © Teatro Real

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Inspiring sustainability
During his acceptance speech in Athens, Justin Way, Director of Production at Teatro Real, stressed their outlook towards the future: “It’s not only a recognition for what we have achieved, but also motivation to carry on with greater energy and commitment. We want to continue to be sustainability role models.” Way, who attended the awards ceremony with Enrique Collell, General Secretary, and Nuria Gallego, Director of Infrastructure and General Services, also invited other theatres around the world to build a better future. A thought Ignacio returns to: “We like to think that this project is inspiring to other institutions because it proves that the performing arts can also work effectively with a fairer, greener and more sustainable model.” In any case, Ignacio reminds us that the challenge of sustainability concerns us all: “Sustainability is a constant challenge and requires the complicity of civil society, which needs to be equally involved. We need to involve them in every action in this race for the planet.”

“The performing arts can also work effectively with a fairer, greener and more sustainable model”

Since it reopened in 1997—after remaining silent for 70 years—, Teatro Real has become a role model in the purely artistic sense, but also in terms of innovation and sustainability. This is how it has returned to its rightful place among the best theatres in the world, alongside the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, or the Royal Opera House in London. A distinction that is shared, according to Ignacio. “Our success is related to perseverance, to the continuous pursuit of excellence. And I must repeat that we do this with the complicity of civil society, the support of the administrations, of our sponsors and of the audience that believes in us season after season.” One of the main talents of the Teatro Real, boasts Ignacio, is to never sit still. He gives the example of what happened during the pandemic: “We were the only theatre to open after lockdown with a regular programme. We were able to do that because both workers and artists wanted to be part of an initiative that meant working twice as hard.” When perseverance is part of your roots and you turn innovation into your wings, you can fly far and wide like the Teatro Real.