An eight minute standing ovation last night marked the first ever performance of an opera at the new Palau de les Arts in the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia The gala performance of Beethoven's 'Fidelio' was presided by Queen Sofia after whom the Palau is named, and also attending were numerous personalities of Valencian life including regional president, Francisco Camps, government delegate, Antoni Bernabe, and mayoress, Rita Barbera, but strangely enough without the presence of Culture minister, Carmen Calvo, who had initially accepted the invitation to attend.