Time Out at 40

Calixto Bieto | Quim Monzó | Jaume Plensa

Calixto Bieto
A passionate opera and theatre director, Calixto Bieito is revolutionising opera and theatre stages all around the world with his polemical, avant-garde productions. He runs the emblematic and historic Teatre Romea in Barcelona, and never seems to keep still for a second. We spoke to him shortly before he set off for Chicago and Oslo to direct new productions.

How does it feel to be a Time Out hero?
Time Out has always treated me well. When I premiered ‘Don Giovanni’ in London it caused a real scandal and the press was out to get me, except for Time Out, which published an extremely favourable review. But I’m really only a hero at home, to my kids, who are seven and three years old and still small enough to believe it.

Who are your heroes from Barcelona?
Someone who’s done a lot for the city is Daniel Martínez, director of the Focus production company. He could be a millionaire but isn’t because he’s invested so much money in culture and especially in theatre. He’s supported so many people and played a decisive role in Catalan theatre in the last 25 years. In many ways, he’s been a patron of the arts.
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What’s the most important thing that’s happened in your field in Barcelona in the last 40 years?
So many things have happened... I think that the Liceu’s change of direction has been a key step for the scenic arts in Barcelona. Having a world-class opera house in the city is important.

What’s your favourite place in Barcelona?
Any place that’s near the sea.

Tell us a good restaurant for paella?
If you want good paella, I recommend the restaurant Els Pescadors in Poble Nou, and for good fish, El Cangrejo Loco, in Port Olímpic. El Suquet de l’Almirall in Port Vell is also a good place to eat. But there are many more.

Where do you like to lose yourself?
I like to visit bookshops like La Central in the Raval, La Documenta, La Millar in Carrer Sant Pau... In the area near the Romea Theatre, where I spend a lot of time. I really like the Raval neighbourhood, with its shawarmas and falafels, there’s a small cafe that’s basically just a bar lining the street just next door to the Romea, also Bar Candela, just in front of the theatre and the ideal place to have a beer with the actors... I like the neighbourhood because it’s full of colour and the theatre is right there in the middle, in the city’s most multicultural area. We’ve got the MACBA, which I love, just next to us, with its mixture of people and skateboarders.

What, in your opinion, is the most important moment in the city’s recent history?
The 1992 Olympics were very important, due to the leap forward the city took then. Barcelona is fashionable everywhere now, but much more could be done for culture in this city; much more money could be invested in culture and education.

How would you like to see the city in 40 years?
As one of the five most important cultural capitals in the world. It has all the potential.

Barcelona is...
…an open city.

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Calixto Bieto | Quim Monzó | Jaume Plensa