Gran Teatre del Liceu of Barcelona (Lyceum Theatre)

The Gran Teatre del Liceu (the Great Theatre of the Lyceum in English) is a unique theatre, and a true icon of music and art, both in Barcelona and at an international level. All of the most well known operas have been performed there, and the best-known opera singers from each era have sung there.

Information about the Gran Teatre del Liceu

Built in 1847, its first years in business weren’t easy, as it had to compete with the Teatre Principal, which was much older and already had a great reputation. Even so, as the Teatre del Liceu was more innovative and had a better economic power behind it, it ended up dominating the Teatre Principal.

Much has happened over its nearly 200 years of history, and it has been through all kinds of events, from great operatic premieres to tragic moments in history, such as the attack of 1893 carried out by members of an anarchist movement, and the two fires that the theatre suffered, the latter of which was in 1994.

After this fire the theatre became publicly owned for the first time, and after five years of restoration the theatre was re-opened in 1999. The external structure of the building is the same as the original, but its interior had to be completely refurbished, as the effects of the fire were so devastating.

What are the features of the theatre that really stand out?

The historic foyer
Of sheer beauty, the historic foyer has a series of columns inspired by the Renaissance, and a marble floor with black and white diamonds that give a very elegant feel to the space.

The theatre itself
With a capacity of 2,294 people, the current theatre is an exact replica of the original. Hanging from its roof is an enormous light, designed by the artist Perejaume.

The Hall of Mirrors
Officially known by its Catalan name of ‘Saló dels Miralls’, this is the hall where people go in the intervals of concerts. Its name comes from the huge amount of mirrors that adorn the room, along with many ceiling paintings and references to art.

El Foyer
The area called ‘El Foyer’ isn’t actually the foyer of the theatre, but in fact a modern audiovisual space underneath the theatre itself. It has a magnificent acoustic, and is used for all sorts of conferences and audio-visual presentations.

El Cercle del Liceu
The visit to the modernist facilities of this private members’ club within the LiceuThe visit to the modernist facilities of this private members’ club within the Liceu is one of the most pleasant surprises that a trip to the Liceu has to offer. is one of the most pleasant surprises that a trip to the Liceu has to offer.

Can you visit the Gran Teatre del Liceu?

The Gran Teatre del Liceu does not currently offer a regular guided-tour service for the general public, so visitors cannot book a standard guided or express tour of the theatre. One of the best ways to experience the interior of the building is to attend an opera, dance or concert performance during the season. As well as enjoying the show, visitors with a ticket can access the theatre’s public areas, including historic spaces such as the Historic Foyer and the Saló dels Miralls, during the intervals.

Tickets for the opera and concerts

The best way to enjoy what the theatre has to offer is to go to one of the many opera or dance performances. There’s a wide range of prices, which vary greatly according to the work, where you’d like to sit and when you buy your tickets. You could pay anything from €10 for the cheapest seats to €300 for the best seats in the house.

Photo gallery

Map and how to get to the Gran Teatre del Liceu

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