The first visit of Venezuelan pianist Teresa Carreño to Madrid dates back to 1866, when she was only 13 years old. Despite her young age, she had already entered the European musical elite after receiving the endorsement of Franz Liszt.
Her early performances in Spain took place in exclusive circles, including private salons, Madrid’s high society, the Spanish court, and the Teatro Real.
A Young Prodigy Arrives in Madrid
The weekly journal El Arte (November 18, 1866) described her arrival:
“We have had the pleasure of hearing Miss Doña Teresa Carreño at the piano, who has come from Paris with the purpose of performing in this court. Yes, we say that Miss Carreño is but a child, for she is barely 13 years old.”
“With her tender and delicate hands, she undertakes passages of such difficulty and power that they would intimidate even the strongest performers. Yet this is the least of her merits. What brilliance, what clarity, what elegance, what expression in her playing!”
Triumph at the Royal Conservatory of Madrid
Her performance at the Royal Conservatory of Music and Declamation of Madrid was widely praised. According to the Revista de Bellas Artes (December 9, 1866), the event was far more than a simple concert:
“Her presentation before our audience was not an exhibition, but a test—and a triumph.”
The audience, composed of artists, writers, and connoisseurs, gathered to confirm whether her reputation was justified—and it was.
Carreño performed a demanding fantasy by Liszt on themes from Rigoletto, holding the audience in complete silence. When she finished, she was met with overwhelming applause and called back to the stage three times.
“No one remained indifferent. The men applauded with frenzy; the ladies threw bouquets and wreaths onto the stage, which she received with innocent modesty.”
She later performed a Ballade by Chopin, described as:
“So delicate, so expressive, so poetic, like the dreams that pass through an innocent soul.”
The review concluded:
“Teresa is a prodigy, a miracle of nature, who will be admired by the entire world.”
Performance at the Teatro Real
Carreño also performed at Madrid’s Teatro Real, one of Spain’s most prestigious venues. The magazine La Escena reported:
“She performed during both intermissions with mastery and precision, playing two beautiful fantasies: one on themes from the Miserere of Il Trovatore, by Gottschalk, and another on Bellini’s Norma.”
Her performances were received with extraordinary enthusiasm, confirming her growing international reputation.
A Rising Star in the Musical World
Teresa Carreño’s first visit to Madrid was not just a debut—it was a defining moment in her early career. At only 13 years old, she captivated audiences and critics alike, establishing herself as one of the most extraordinary pianists of her time.
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