Barcelona Theatres
Barcelona offers its visitors and residents a wealth of entertainment options, yet there are not many which can rival the outstanding theatrical and musical productions found within the city.
Gran Teatre del Liceu
Standing firmly as one of Barcelona's most famous theatres is the Gran Teatre del Liceu. Opened in 1847 on Las Ramblas, the Liceu is now at the centre of the city’s busiest area. The theatre began its life by hosting numerous small productions, concerts and variety performances until evolving into one of the most renowned opera houses in the world. The Liceu has led by example as a cultural and artistic venue for over 150 years now.
The first performance of an opera at the Liceu was orchestrated by Wagner and over time the prestigious stage has adorned performances by Mozart, Strauss and Stravinsky to name but a few talents. The Liceu has also showcased set design attributed to artists like Picasso, Miró and Bakst, further complimenting its ever exquisite range of performances. In more modern times, the Liceu has also branched out to accommodate some of the finest ballets in the world with annual ‘dance-seasons’.
Tragically, a fire destroyed the theatres original auditorium and stage in 1994. The effect this had on Catalan society was far reaching and as though as true foundation of the city had been destroyed. Following the outcry from the Catalunyan people, the Liceu was put under public ownership and was gradually restored to its former glory. The new theatre shares the grand design of its former self, yet it now also boasts some fantastic modern facilities and avant-garde technical equipment allowing the productions which take place here to become truely wonderful.
The Liceu’s programme is ever transient and provides classic operas and more contemporary ballets on its playlist. To discover what is on at the Liceu during your visit to Barcelona please visit www.liceubarcelona.com
Address:
Gran Teatre del Liceu
La Rambla, 51-59
08002 Barcelona
Tel. +34 934 85 99 00
How to get there:
Metro: (L3) Liceu.
L'Auditori
The Auditori is a fantastic modern building, purpose built for the showcasing of the best classical music in Catalunya. Situated in the newly developed ‘Plaça de les Glòries’ area of Barcelona, the Auditori is home to the Orfeó Catala choral society and Barcelona’s Symphony Orchestra who provide some of the best quality performances in Europe. Despite its classical roots, the Auditori hosts a wealth of contemporary music as it succeeds in maintaining its prowess at the forefront of Catalunyan musical arts.
The Auditori boasts 3 different auditoriums which allow its programme to remain consistently fresh and diverse. The performance spaces have been tailored with the concept of providing the best quality sound possible and you can be sure that this enables performances which are utterly perfect.
Check out the current programme for L’Auditori at their website; www.auditori.org
Address:
Carrer Lepant, 150
08013 Barcelona
Tel: +34 932 47 93 00
How to get there:
Metro: (L1) Marina.
Buses: (10), (6).
Palau de la Música Catalana
(Palace of Catalan Music)
Situated right in the city centre, the Palau de la Musica Catalana has shows on most nights of the week. They are typically classical in style yet other genres have been known to grace the stage here inlcuding Jazz, rock and blues.
In addition to the fantastic shows the Palace provides, the actual concert hall is one of the most fabulous in the world and for over 100 years has hosted national and international events. If you can not make a showing here, do be sure to take the tour of the building itself which is is infact found on UNESCO’s world heritage site list and is argued as being the most beautiful theatres in Barcelona. Opened in 1908, the Palau de la Música Catalana remains one of the focal points of cultural and social life in Catalunya.
To find out more about the Palau de la Música Catalana and its current programming please visit; palaumusica.cat/ca/
Address:
Carrer Palau de la Música 4-6
+32 902 44 28 82
How to get there:
Metro: (L1), (L4) Urquinaona.
Buses: (17), (19), (40), and (45)
Teatre Lliure
The Teatre Lliure is considered one of the most prestigious in all of Catalunya. It originated in Barcelona’s Gràcia district in 1976 under the influence of artists working in the city’s independent theatre scene. It became renowned for presenting brilliant home-grown theatre in Catalan which later expanded to reproducing other classic theatre productions. Many of the performances created by the Lliure have been exported to other major cities across Europe and the Americas.
Once established as a standard-setter in the theatre circuit, the Lliure Company expanded its operations in Barcelona by opening a new theatre on the hill of Montjuic which provides several further auditoriums with state-of-the-art facilities allowing the stages to adapt to the needs of even the most obscure set designs.
Check out the playlist here; www.teatrelliure.com
Address:
Teatre Lliure Montjuic
Placa Margarida Xirgu 1
Montjuic, Barcelona
+34 932 28 97 47
How to get there:
Metro: (L3) (L1) Espanya, (L3) Poble Sec.
Buses: (22), (24), (28), (39).
Address:
Teatre Lliure Gràcia
Carrer Montseny, 47
Gràcia, Barcelona
+ 34 932 18 92 51
How to get there:
Metro: (L3) Fontana
Buses: (22), (24), (28), (39).
Teatre Nacional de Catalunya
(National Theatre of Catalonia)
Once established as a standard-setter in the theatre circuit, the Lliure Company expanded its operations in Barcelona by opening a new theatre on the hill of Montjuic which provides several further auditoriums with state-of-the-art facilities allowing the stages to adapt to the needs of even the most obscure set designs.
Check out the playlist here; www.teatrelliure.com
Address:
Teatre Lliure Montjuic
Placa Margarida Xirgu 1
Montjuic, Barcelona
+34 932 28 97 47
How to get there:
Metro: (L3) (L1) Espanya, (L3) Poble Sec.
Buses: (22), (24), (28), (39).
Address:
Teatre Lliure Gràcia
Carrer Montseny, 47
Gràcia, Barcelona
+ 34 932 18 92 51
How to get there:
Metro: (L3) Fontana
Buses: (22), (24), (28), (39).
Teatre Nacional de Catalunya
(National Theatre of Catalonia)
The theatre complex itself is a marvellous postmodern design which comprises of two different structures housing the Sala Gran and Sala Peitia.
To see the current programme on offer at the Teatre Nacional please visit their website at www.tnc.cat.
Address:
Placa de les Arts 1
Barcelona
+ 34 933 06 57 06
How to get there:
Metro: (L2) Glòries, (L1) Monumental.
Buses: (6), (7), (10), (56), (62).
Night buses: (N2), (N3), (N7) (N0)
Teatre Poliorama
The Teatre Poliorama is sat right in Barcelona’s heart on Las Ramblas. Managed by a private company called 3xtr3s who operate other theatres in the city, the Poliorama has been transformed from its original function as a cinema into a theatre which hosts comedies and musicals among its productions.
Relatively quaint inside, the auditorium holds a capacity of 654 who can enjoy a diverse range of productions all created in a theatrical manner.
To see the bill and find more information please visit; www.teatrepoliorama.com
Address:
La Rambla 115
08002 Barcelona
+34 933 17 75 99
How to get there:
Metro: (L1), (L3) Catalunya.
Buses: 14, 18, 38 and 59.
Nigh Buses: (N4), (N6).
Teatre Victoria
To see the bill and find more information please visit; www.teatrepoliorama.com
Address:
La Rambla 115
08002 Barcelona
+34 933 17 75 99
How to get there:
Metro: (L1), (L3) Catalunya.
Buses: 14, 18, 38 and 59.
Nigh Buses: (N4), (N6).
Teatre Victoria
Located in the Poble Sec area of Barcelona the Teatre Victoria is one of the city’s larger theatrical venues. The theatre was initially inaugurated in 1905 and pertains to being one of the most parabolic theatres in Catalunya due to its location. Found on ‘Parallel’ the Victoria is in the area which acted as the hub for arts and entertainment in Barcelona at the turn of the 20th century. Indeed, during the period the Gran Teatre de Liceu was out of action due to a fire, the Victoria stood in as the primary venue for operatic performance.
The theatre has a huge stage and is equipped with highly modern technology allowing fantastic visual performances. Today, the Victory commonly hosts theatrical best-sellers as well as dance shows and in particular; Flamenco dancing.
To see the current playlist and further information please visit; www.teatrevictoria.com
Address:
Avinguda del Parallel 67-69
08004 Barcelona
+34 933 29 91 89
How to get there:
Metro: (L2), (L3) Paral-lel.
Buses: (20), (36), (57), (64).
Night Buses: (N4), (N6).
Teatre Goya
In terms of theatres found in ‘Old Barcelona’, the Goya is potentially one of the best. Located in the ever engaging El Raval district, this 700 seat venue offers some great classical and contemporary productions. First opening in 1917 the Teatre Goya is archetypal of classical Catalunyan theatre styling.
Address:
Carrer de Joaquin Costa 68
08001 Barcelona
+34 933 43 53 23
teatregoya.cat
Address:
Carrer de Joaquin Costa 68
08001 Barcelona
+34 933 43 53 23
teatregoya.cat
How to get there:
Metro: (L1), (L2) Universitat.
Buses: (24), (41), (55), (64), (91), (120), (141), (L94), (L95).
Night Bus: (N6)
