INAEM Artistic Centers Achieve Record Ticket Sales and Global Recognition

The INAEM (Instituto Nacional de las Artes Escénicas y de la Música) artistic centers have achieved a significant milestone by selling close to 430,000 tickets for their performances during the 22/23 season. This impressive figure represents a thirteen percent increase compared to the previous year’s ticket sales.

Miquel Iceta, the acting Minister of Culture and Sports, shared this exciting news during the unveiling of the 23/24 season at the National Music Auditorium, which serves as the headquarters for the esteemed National Orchestra and Choir of Spain (OCNE). While expressing satisfaction with this accomplishment, Minister Iceta also emphasized the organization’s aspirations for continued growth and international recognition. He stated, “Because we want more, because we want to go further. We also want to project ourselves internationally.”

Importantly, the INAEM has successfully rebounded to pre-pandemic attendance levels, concluding the previous season with an impressive average occupancy rate of 82.96 percent. This figure is just four points below the organization’s best pre-pandemic record. Furthermore, despite offering discounts to audiences, collections in the INAEM’s performance venues increased by ten percent compared to the previous year.

Several standout shows contributed to this remarkable success. The staging of ‘Life is a Dream’ by the National Classical Theater Company (CNTC), co-produced by Cheek by Jowl and LaZona Teatro, achieved an outstanding 95 percent occupancy rate and sold nearly 25,000 tickets at its primary venue, the Teatro de la Comedia.

Similarly, ‘La Dolores,’ the lyrical drama by Tomás Bretón, revived by the Teatro de la Zarzuela, also enjoyed considerable success last season, attracting more than 14,000 spectators to the Jovellanos Street coliseum and achieving a remarkable 99 percent occupancy rate.

The INAEM’s music units have demonstrated exceptional growth, surpassing pre-pandemic attendance and loyalty levels. In the 23/24 season, the Teatro de la Zarzuela achieved its highest-ever subscriber count in its historical series, boasting 2,662 subscribers—an impressive 19 percent increase compared to its pre-Covid peak. Additionally, the unit saw a significant rise in new subscribers, totaling 1,200 for the first time, marking a 42 percent improvement over previous figures.

Lastly, the INAEM highlighted its outreach efforts, with the artistic centers concluding the 22/23 season by organizing 688 performances outside their main venues, attracting more than 200,000 spectators. These performances took place on over 350 stages, including 24 international locations. Notably, iconic works like Calderón’s verses were presented in Spanish for the first time in international squares, exemplified by the performance at London’s ‘Barbican,’ thanks to the CNTC production of ‘Life is a Dream.’ This underscores the INAEM’s commitment to cultural exchange and artistic excellence on a global scale.