The Auditori

The Auditorium of Barcelona is one of the most important cultural institutions in the city, located in the Eixample district, near Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes. Inaugurated on March 22, 1999, this building was designed by architect Rafael Moneo, winner of the Pritzker Prize in 1996. The Auditorium is a significant example of modern architecture, combining functionality, aesthetics, and acoustic excellence in a single complex of 42,000 square meters. The building is strategically located, where three of Barcelona’s main arteries converge: Avinguda Diagonal, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, and Avinguda Meridiana. This location places it in the heart of the city’s new urban development hub, next to the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya and the 22@ technological district. The Auditorium is not just a concert hall, but a true music center that houses the Barcelona Symphony and Catalonia National Orchestra (OBC), the Banda Municipal de Barcelona, and the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya (ESMUC). It is also home to the Museum of Music, which houses a vast collection of historical instruments and materials related to the history of music. The building consists of several concert halls, each designed for specific acoustic and audience needs. Sala 1 Pau Casals, the main hall, has a capacity of 2,200 seats and is designed for symphonic concerts. Sala 2 Oriol Martorell, with 600 seats, and Sala 3 Tete Montoliu, with 400 seats, are dedicated to chamber music and jazz concerts. Recently, Sala 4 Alicia de Larrocha, a more intimate hall with 152 seats, was also inaugurated. One of the most distinctive architectural elements is the “Lantern,” a glass cube suspended in the large central atrium, decorated with works by artist Pablo Palazuelo, which illuminates the entrance and adds an artistic and luminous dimension to the building. The acoustics of the halls were curated by engineer Higini Arau, who used advanced materials and technologies to ensure exceptional sound quality. The walls are lined with maple wood, chosen for its acoustic properties, which helps create a warm and welcoming environment for the audience. The Auditorium was designed to completely isolate external noises, ensuring an optimal listening experience. The idea of building the Auditorium arose in the context of the major urban renewal that Barcelona was undergoing in preparation for the 1992 Olympics. However, the project took longer to complete and was only finished in 1999. The building’s inauguration was celebrated with a concert featuring the OBC, conducted by Lawrence Foster, and pianist Alicia de Larrocha, performing works by composers such as Richard Wagner, Manuel de Falla, and Pau Casals. An interesting anecdote concerns the design and construction period of the Auditorium. Moneo had to face several challenges, including the need to create a standalone building in an area lacking urban incentives, transforming it into a new cultural hub. The Lantern, with its twisted cube shape, became the focal point from which the entire project developed, symbolically representing the light of culture and knowledge.