Construction for open-air concerts

"O for a muse of fire, that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention, a kingdom for a stage, princes to act and monarchs to behold the swelling scene!... But pardon, and gentles all, the flat unraised spirits that have dared on this unworthy scaffold to bring forth o great an object..." (SHAKESPEARE)

The project would have liked to respond to the poetic idea that inspired it, and that, and no other, was the author's intention. It is assumed to be located in the most beautiful urban setting that an architect from Madrid can freely choose in Spain, which is undoubtedly the Retiro Park. Consistent with the original idea, a gigantic and severe construction was planned which would influence the mood of the audience to <>. At the same time: ponds, fountains... under a sky of unfading melodies.

However, it is only after the work has been completed that we feel truly aware of the responsibility we have taken on in such a joyful and resolute manner. Under the sky and in such a noble function, would the author have to accept materials of a less noble nature? On the contrary, he judged that stone, even if it served negatively the difficult laws of "open air acoustics" (?), could not be disdained or substituted by the happy, – when appropriate – use of plastic and conglomerated manufactured materials.

We make public confession of our enthusiasm, indeed our irrepressible exaltation of ourselves, and it should be noted immediately that the dimensions of the project exceed those necessary to comfortably accommodate the one hundred music professors that the author assumes would make up a major orchestra or band. The seats devoted to an ordered, convenient arrangement of the auditorium have been deliberately dispensed with. The issue is concrete and we have not adjusted to its well-defined limits: <>, believing this to be a faithful interpretation of the intention of the Directorate General of Fine Arts.

I would like to publicly express my gratitude to Cristino Mallo, who honoured my project with the contribution of this marvellous bas-relief Pastoral and two tiny and delightful sculptures representing Harmony and Melody that preside over each fountain. The leading Spanish sculptor, holder of all titles in his own right, has, for and on my behalf, squandered the most admirable and the only one he really has to spare, and that is his inexhaustible modesty, by deigning to lend me his fraternal and irreplaceable accompaniment