Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía is an opera house, performing arts centre, and urban landmark designed by Santiago Calatrava to anchor the northwest end of the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, Spain. It opened on 8 October 2005; its first opera staging was of Beethoven's Fidelio on 25 October 2006. Tenor and conductor Plácido Domingo has maintained a special relationship with the Palau since its founding and has established a young singers training program there.
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía in Valencia, Spain, photographed at night with the city in the background
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, rear SE elevation
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, side SW elevation
Sala Principal of Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía
Santiago Calatrava Valls is a Spanish architect, structural engineer, sculptor and painter, particularly known for his bridges supported by single leaning pylons, and his railway stations, stadiums, and museums, whose sculptural forms often resemble living organisms. His best-known works include the Olympic Sports Complex of Athens, the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Turning Torso tower in Malmö, Sweden, the World Trade Center Transportation Hub in New York City, the Auditorio de Tenerife in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in Dallas, Texas, and his largest project, the City of Arts and Sciences and Opera House in his birthplace, Valencia. His architectural firm has offices in New York City, Doha, and Zürich.
Calatrava in 2010
Zürich Stadelhofen railway station in Zürich. Switzerland (1983–90)
Interior of the Zürich Stadelhofen railway station in Zürich. Switzerland (1983–90)
The Bac de Roda Bridge in Barcelona, Spain (1984–87): Calatrava's first bridge