Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia

The basic aim of the Centre de Perfeccionament Plácido Domingo at the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía is to promote a high level of vocational training for young singers and musicians from Spain, the European Union and the rest of the world: to prepare opera singers structurally, so that they may form part of an organization, as well as to help them as much as possible to develop a professional career. For this reason, during their training period members have firsthand experience of the day-to-day running of the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, taking part in the activities programmed for each season and being in close contact with the artists who perform there.

Under the aegis of Plácido Domingo, members of the Centre de Perfeccionament develop their interpretative style, they learn to feel the musical and dramatic nature of the different characters and operas, and study aspects that are so important to any singer such as expression, gestures, the intent of the spoken word, and its theatrical nature. They understand the fundamental idea of the importance of the libretto, the drama, the historical context of each opera, and its influences and consequences, etc.

Consequently, members may form part of the casts and productions scheduled at the Palau de les Arts, including those promoted by the Centre de Perfeccionament itself and those covered by the season ticket. In this way, they are in direct contact with the realities of the theatre, with great singers, conductors and stage directors.

 In addition to the congresses and master classes held by the artists that take part in the general programme for each season at the Palau de les Arts (stage directors, conductors, set designers, costume designers, etc.), the Centre also promotes exchanges with other international academies.

The Centre's headquarters are at the Teatre Martín i Soler, a theatre in the Palau de les Arts that can seat 380, where excellent acoustics make it possible to stage numerous activities, especially baroque and classical operas on a smaller scale. It is an ideal opportunity to put into practice the works produced by the Centre itself and meet the general public. The theatre is also the venue for master classes, congresses and discussions with the artists that collaborate with the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía. In essence, the Centre aims to provide complete training for an artist and introduce him/her to a professional career; all members of the Centre have the chance to experience firsthand life inside a theatre from a most privileged position.