Located within his famed City of Arts and Science, Santiago Calatrava’s Opera House was designed as a series of apparently random volumes which become unified through their enclosure within two symmetrical cut-away concrete shells. The resulting structure defines the identity of the opera house and enhances its symbolic and dynamic effect within the landscape. The central core of the Palacio de las Artes is occupied by a 1700-seat auditorium, as well as the technical facilities for the stage and orchestra pit. A smaller auditorium, conceived mainly for chamber music concerts, seats approximately 400. Calatrava has dedicated this unique ensemble of facilities to the fostering of musical talent and performance.