commemorative plaque to Sergei Prokofiev

A commemorative plaque to Sergei Prokofiev hangs on the facade of Teatro Monumental, a historic concert hall in central Madrid at Calle de Atocha 65. It marks a specific date in music history: 1 December 1935, when this building hosted the premiere of the composer's Violin Concerto No. 2.

What does the plaque commemorate?

The inscription notes, in translation, that in this theatre the musician Sergei Prokofiev premiered his second violin concerto on 1 December 1935. The soloist that evening was French violinist Robert Soëtens, accompanied by the Madrid Symphony Orchestra (Orquesta Sinfónica de Madrid) under conductor Enrique Fernández Arbós, one of Spain's most influential musicians of the era. Prokofiev wrote the concerto with Soëtens' collaboration in mind, and the piece toured several European cities during the mid-1930s, with Madrid as one of its stops.

How to get there?

Teatro Monumental sits in the Embajadores/Lavapiés area of central Madrid, an easy walk from Antón Martín metro station (Line 1) and from Atocha (Line 1 and Cercanías trains). City buses (EMT) running along Calle de Atocha also stop nearby. From Puerta del Sol, the walk takes roughly 15–20 minutes.

What will you see?

The theatre itself is a substantial building dating from the 1920s, originally built as a cinema and revue theatre before becoming a dedicated concert venue. Today it is the permanent home of the RTVE Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, the ensemble of Spain's public broadcaster. The plaque commemorating Prokofiev's visit is mounted on the exterior wall, so visitors can read it any time, without buying a ticket or entering the building.

When to visit?

Because the plaque sits on the outside of the building, it can be viewed year-round, at any hour, independent of the theatre's opening times. Travellers wanting more than a photograph can time their visit around the RTVE orchestra's concert season, which typically runs from October to June — a chance to hear classical music in the very hall where Prokofiev's concerto once premiered.

Why is it worth a stop?

For anyone interested in 20th-century music history, this small plaque marks a concrete link between one of the era's leading composers and Spain. Prokofiev, who at the time divided his life between the Soviet Union, Paris, and international concert tours across Europe and the United States, passed through Madrid only months before settling permanently back in the USSR in 1936. The plaque is an unassuming but precise trace of that visit, and it pairs easily with a walk through Madrid's historic centre and the nearby Lavapiés and Atocha neighbourhoods.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly does the plaque commemorate? The premiere of Sergei Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 2, performed at Teatro Monumental on 1 December 1935 by violinist Robert Soëtens with the Madrid Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Enrique Fernández Arbós.

Do I need a ticket to see the plaque? No — it is mounted on the building's exterior facade, so it can be viewed for free at any time of day.

Where exactly is it located? On the facade of Teatro Monumental, Calle de Atocha 65, in central Madrid, close to Antón Martín metro station.

Does Teatro Monumental still host concerts? Yes. It remains the permanent home of the RTVE Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, with a regular season running from autumn to spring.