On 7 December 1880, Adelina Patti arrived at the Hotel de la Paz, one of the greatest stars in the history of opera. Born in Madrid, she was returning to her home city to lead a series of performances at the Teatro Real.
She travelled like a true queen: she was accompanied by a secretary, two maids, between six and eight servants and enormous luggage made up of 24 trunks. Her entourage occupied much of the main floor of our hotel.
Patti stayed in Madrid for almost a month, until early January 1881. During that season she performed alongside some of the finest voices of the day, among them the tenor Julián Gayarre.
As a curiosity, the press devoted almost as much attention to her gowns, jewels and movements around Madrid as to her performances. She was one of the first truly global celebrities.
