The church was built as an annex to the convent of San Isidoro, which was constructed in 1580 for the mendicant order of the Dominicans. 

In 1641, the brotherhood of the Marrajos added a chapel, which they used as their headquarters and the starting point for the Good Friday procession in the Semana Santa parades in Cartagena. In the early 19th century, the church was used in 1823 as a stable by French troops during the intervention of the Hundred Thousand Sons of Saint Louis in support of absolutism.

On July 25, 1835, the convent was affected by the royal decree that ordered the suppression of monastic properties. This resolution was part of the upcoming confiscation plan initiated by Juan Álvarez Mendizábal, then Prime Minister of Spain (1836), by which the convent was transferred to private ownership, passing to the Picó family (who built the now-lost Calle Mayor pharmacy, while only the church remained ecclesiastical property.

By 1875, the church was under the protection of the Spanish Navy and the patronage of Saint Ferdinand, although this was later changed to Saint Dominic, who remains its patron to this day. During the Spanish Civil War, it suffered severe damage, preventing the Marrajos from using it for Holy Week. Today, it is fully functional and operates under the Military Archbishopric.

Like the State Opera, NEST is committed to the idea of openness. It appeals to an audience that wants to be inspired by the art forms of opera and ballet. The new venue's diverse program includes world premieres of operas for children and young people as well as ballet, quiz shows, experimental and contemporary productions for adults, discussion events, creative introductions to works and a wide range of hands-on workshops.

The new venue is also the place where the young artistic collectives of the Haus am Ring - the opera school, the opera studio, the ballet academy and the youth company - can perform. Around 110 events take place on the NEST stage during the season, as well as numerous workshops.

As the Cadogan Hall’s chosen charity, Nucleo’s aim is to bring young people together to create change for themselves and communities through collective music-making.

They provide instruments and deliver all our activities for free, making a musical education accessible for any family, in keeping with our goal of knocking down barriers for and with our students.

Nucleo was founded in North Kensington and continues to deliver its immersive after-school programme there, but in 2022 we are also expanding our work beyond our West London base, taking on the national role passed on to us by Sistema England. This includes two exciting national initiatives that we now run: the Young Leaders Programme and the Instrument Donation Bank.

Since its formation in 1995, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) has been working to reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death (YSCD). CRY supports young people diagnosed with potentially life-threatening cardiac conditions and offers bereavement support to families affected by YSCD. CRY promotes and develops heart screening programmes and funds medical research. CRY publishes and distributes medical information written by leading cardiologists for the general public. CRY funds specialist referral, screening and cardiac pathology services at leading UK hospitals.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is a global non-profit helping animals and people thrive together. They are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans, and in more than 40 countries around the world. They rescue, rehabilitate, and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems they’re up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, they match fresh thinking with bold action. They partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organisations, and businesses. They pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish.