Campoamor Theatre
The Campoamor Theatre in Oviedo, opened in 1892, is the city’s principal historic theatre and one of its great cultural landmarks. Its stage has a close association with opera and hosts the annual Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony.
Campoamor Theatre · Oviedo
The new theatre of the bourgeois city
In the second half of the 19th century, Oviedo’s growth and the rise of a new bourgeois class created the need for a more modern theatre to replace the old Casa de Comedias in El Fontán. The municipal initiative to build the new theatre began to take shape in 1876.
The new building was erected on land that had belonged to the convent of Santa Clara, very close to the newly developed Calle Uría. The project was designed by architects José López Salaberry and Siro Borrajo Montenegro, while the direction of the works was associated with municipal architect Juan Miguel de la Guardia.
The opening in 1892
The Campoamor Theatre opened on 17 September 1892. Giacomo Meyerbeer’s opera Les Huguenots, a major five-act work, was chosen for the opening and showcased the stage capabilities of the new theatre.
From its earliest years, the Campoamor became Oviedo’s main venue for opera, theatre and zarzuela, as well as hosting concerts and, from 1919 onwards, film screenings.
Why is it called Campoamor?
For several years the building was known simply as the “New Theatre”. On 10 May 1890, writer Leopoldo Alas “Clarín”, then a member of Oviedo City Council, proposed that it should bear the surname of Asturian poet Ramón de Campoamor.
The proposal was unanimously approved, permanently linking the theatre with the name of the Navia-born writer.
Architecture of the Campoamor Theatre
The façade uses a restrained, monumental architectural language inspired by Classicism, appropriate to the representative character expected of the city’s principal theatre. Access is arranged through a series of arches on the ground floor.
Inside, the auditorium follows the traditional horseshoe shape typical of European opera houses. Boxes and several tiers of seating surround the stalls, directing attention towards the stage.
The destruction of 1934
The Campoamor Theatre suffered severe damage during the October 1934 uprising. Its interior was almost completely destroyed and the building ceased to operate as a theatre.
The subsequent Spanish Civil War delayed its recovery. Reconstruction continued over the following years and the Campoamor finally reopened in 1948, beginning a new chapter in its history.
Reopening and the Oviedo Opera season
The theatre’s reopening in 1948 coincided with the beginning of a new period for opera in the city. Since then, the Campoamor has maintained a close association with Oviedo’s opera season.
The building later underwent several interventions to meet new technical requirements. A major refurbishment took place during the 1980s and the theatre reopened again on 6 September 1986. Further work was carried out in the late 1990s on the stage, orchestra pit and technical facilities.
The Princess of Asturias Awards
The Campoamor Theatre is internationally known for hosting the Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony. Every autumn, the theatre’s stage brings together the recipients of the awards in their different categories.
This ceremony, together with the opera, theatre, music and zarzuela performances held throughout the year, has made the Campoamor one of Oviedo’s major cultural landmarks.
Location and visit
Address: Calle Pelayo · 33002 Oviedo.
Location: in the heart of Oviedo, between Calle Uría, Plaza de la Escandalera and Plaza del Carbayón.
Current use: municipal theatre with a programme of opera, zarzuela, theatre, music and other performances. Ordinary access to the interior is linked to performances, activities and any scheduled visits.