hestra is the Madrid Symphony Orchestra. The theatre stages around seventeen opera titles (both own productions and co-productions with other major European opera houses) per year, as well as two or three major ballets and several recitals.
The Teatro de la Zarzuela is mainly devoted to Zarzuela (the Spanish traditional musical theatre genre), as well as operetta and recitals. The resident orchestra of the theatre is the Community of Madrid Orchestra.
The Teatro Monumental is the concert venue of the RTVE Symphony Orchestra.
Other concert venues for classical music are the Fundación Joan March and the Auditorio 400, devoted to contemporary music.
Bullfighting
Madrid hosts the largest Plaza de Toros (bullring) in Spain, Las Ventas, established in 1929. Las Ventas is considered by many to be the world centre of bullfighting and has a seating capacity of almost 25,000. Madrid's bullfighting season begins in March and ends in October. Bullfights are held every day during the festivities of San Isidro (Madrid's patron saint) from mid May to early June, and every Sunday, and public holiday, the rest of the season. The style of the plaza is Neo-Mudéjar. Las Ventas also hosts music concerts and other events outside of the bullfighting season.
Local festivities
15 May, San Isidro Labrador (Madrid's patron saint).
13 June, San Antonio de la Florida (Moncloa neighbourhood's patron saint)...
16–25 July, Virgen Del Carmen festivities (Vallecas neighbourhood's patron saint).
6–14 August, Virgen de la Paloma festivities (Madrid's popular patron saint)
7 August, San Cayetano (Cascorro neighbourhood's patron saint).
10 August, San Lorenzo (Lavapiés neighbourhood's patron saint).
9 November, Feast of the Virgin of Almudena (Madrid's patron saint)
