Orquesta Sinfónica de Madrid

The Orquesta Sinfónica de Madrid (OSM) is the resident orchestra of the Teatro Real, founded in 1903. Its inaugural performance took place in the Teatro Real on February 7, 1904, under the direction of Alonso Cordelás. The orchestra enjoyed a fruitful three-decade collaboration with principal conductor Enrique Fernández Arbós, during which it was led by luminaries like Richard Strauss and Igor Stravinsky. Notably, Sergei Prokofiev premiered his Second Violin Concerto with the OSM in 1935. Following Arbós’ tenure, the orchestra saw leadership from esteemed Spanish conductors including Conrado del Campo, José María Campo, Enrique Jordá, and Vicente Spiteri.

In 1981, the OSM became the permanent orchestra for the Teatro de la Zarzuela, also resuming its role in symphonic music with annual concerts at Madrid’s Auditorio Nacional de Música. The orchestra has been directed by international maestros such as Peter Maag, Kurt Sanderling, and Mstislav Rostropovich. Since 1997, the OSM has served as the house orchestra of the Teatro Real, with chief conductors including Luis Antonio García Navarro, Jesús López Cobos, and currently Ivor Bolton, alongside principal guest conductors Pablo Heras-Casado and Nicola Luisotti. The OSM, part of the Teatro Real, won the Best Opera Company award at the 2020/21 International Opera Awards. Its discography includes zarzuelas, Spanish operas, and recordings of Albéniz’s works for Decca. Increasingly, performances from the Teatro Real are available on CD and DVD.