Teatro Campoamor

Teatro Campoamor is the principal opera house and theatre of Oviedo, the capital of Asturias in northern Spain, standing in the heart of the historic city centre.

What is this building and why does it matter?

The theatre opened its doors on 17 September 1892 with a performance of Giacomo Meyerbeer's opera "Les Huguenots." It was built to answer the ambitions of Oviedo's growing merchant class, who wanted a stage worthy of European opera and drama in their own city. Ever since, the building has remained the beating heart of cultural life in the region.

Teatro Campoamor runs the oldest continuously staged opera season in Spain, second only to the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona. The auditorium seats more than 1,400 people, making it one of the larger stages on the Iberian Peninsula outside Madrid and Barcelona.

What happened to the original building?

The theatre's history has not been peaceful. During the Asturian miners' uprising of October 1934, the building was badly damaged, with only the main façade left standing from the original construction. Reconstruction began after the Spanish Civil War, and the theatre reopened in September 1948 with a staging of Jules Massenet's opera "Manon." The rebuilt structure kept the classical character of its façade, echoing the 19th-century theatre architecture of the original design.

Why is Teatro Campoamor linked to a major awards ceremony?

Since 1981, Teatro Campoamor has hosted the annual ceremony of the Princess of Asturias Awards, one of the most prestigious international honours, recognising achievement in science, the arts, literature, sport and international cooperation. The gala takes place every October, and past laureates have included some of the world's most recognised names in culture, science and public life. The ceremony has firmly placed the theatre on the map of Spain's most important cultural venues, broadcast each year by national and international media.

How to get there and when to visit?

Teatro Campoamor sits in Oviedo's historic centre, within easy walking distance of most hotels and the city's main sights, including the cathedral and Plaza de la Catedral. Oviedo is best reached by train or bus from Gijón, Madrid or Santander; the city also has its own airport, Asturias Airport, roughly 40 minutes away by car.

Visitors should plan around the opera and theatre season, which usually runs from autumn to spring, when tickets go on sale for performances and the auditorium can be seen in full use, curtain and all. Travellers passing through Oviedo in October may catch the build-up to the Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony, although the event itself is by invitation only.

Frequently asked questions

When did Teatro Campoamor open? The theatre opened on 17 September 1892 with Meyerbeer's "Les Huguenots." After being destroyed in 1934, the rebuilt theatre reopened in September 1948.

Can visitors tour the theatre without a show ticket? Access for sightseeing depends on the current events schedule; it is best to check availability locally or through Oviedo's tourist information office.

Why is Teatro Campoamor so well known in Spain? It has hosted the annual Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony since 1981, one of the country's most important honours, and it runs the oldest continuously staged opera season in Spain after Barcelona's Liceu.

How many people does the auditorium hold? The auditorium of Teatro Campoamor seats more than 1,400 people.