Auditorio Municipal Rocío Jurado, Sevilla
This venue in Isla Cartuja, which is currently closed, is located next to the Jardines del Guadalquivir. It has been used mainly for concerts, but also some sporting and cultural events. Built originally for Seville’s Universal Exposicion 1992, the 8,000-capacity auditorium was renamed to commemorate the popular Andalucian copla singer Rocio Jurado after her death in 2006.
The open-air venue opened a new covered area in 2012, with a roof protecting around 3,000 seats and 2,000 standing, so that events can be staged during the winter months.
The 3,000-m2 stage is one of the largest open-air stages in the world, and the orchestra pit is designed to accommodate 120 musicians. The exterior of the auditorium is covered with marble mined from Macael in Almeria.
The auditorium has been closed since September 2022, but plans have been announced by the city’s mayor, José Luis Sanz, to reopen it (as of September 2024) as part of a cultural plan for the city.
History
The venue was inaugurated in September 1991 as the Auditorio Isla de la Cartuja Sevilla, by Rocío Jurado herself, the beloved singer from Chipìona after whom it was subsequently renamed.
The auditorium famously hosted the Guitar Legends concerts in October 1991. These five concerts, designed to draw international attention to Seville prior to the Expo’s opening a few months later in April 1992, featured a dream-team line-up: Brian May, BB King, George Benson, Bo Diddley, Keith Richards, Les Paul, Robert Cray, Roger Waters, and more. Singers who performed included Rickie Lee Jones, Bob Dylan and Joe Cocker
Capacity
With a capacity for 8,000 people, including 3,000 seated under cover, this municipally-owned open-air venue has also hosted many Spanish stars such as Aitana, Melendi, Malú, Pablo Alborán, Pastora Soler, Miguel Bosé, and, of course Rocío Jurado herself; she was the artist who performed the most times at this Seville venue. Jurado was also responsible for organising the biggest copla show in history for the 1992 Expo. The auditorium has also hosted British rock band Judas Priest and Puerto Rican reggaeton star Bad Bunny.
Ownership and events of note
In 2006, ownership of the auditorium passed from the government to the city council, who renamed it in honour of Rocio Jurado
Football matches such as the UEFA League final in 2022, played at the nearby La Cartuja Stadium, were screened there for fans unable to get tickets. Glasgow fans watched the final live on a 120-metre screen.
Charity events such as the Festival of Colors were also held here.
Location
Camino de los Descubrimientos, 6, 41092 Sevilla