Iscle Soler
In Plaça de Sant Agustí, a bronze bust honors Iscle Soler i Samsot, an actor closely associated with the growth of Catalan theater. Raised above a stone pedestal, his portrait preserves the memory of a performer whose working life unfolded largely at the nearby Teatre Romea.
Born in Barcelona in 1843, Soler trained as a silversmith before establishing himself professionally on the stage. He studied acting at the Conservatori de Declamació associated with the Teatre Odéon and gained experience in several Barcelona theaters.
A decisive opportunity came during the 1867–1868 season, when playwright Frederic Soler, known as Serafí Pitarra, engaged him for the Catalan theater company at the Romea. Despite sharing a surname, the playwright and actor were different figures, each contributing to the theater’s success.
Iscle Soler became known for character and comic roles. Apart from tours and a season elsewhere, he remained associated with the Romea for roughly four decades, helping bring Catalan plays to successive generations of audiences.
A decisive opportunity came during the 1867–1868 season, when playwright Frederic Soler, known as Serafí Pitarra, engaged him for the Catalan theater company at the Romea. Despite sharing a surname, the playwright and actor were different figures, each contributing to the theater’s success.
Iscle Soler became known for character and comic roles. Apart from tours and a season elsewhere, he remained associated with the Romea for roughly four decades, helping bring Catalan plays to successive generations of audiences.
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