The Opera is Spectacular at the Gran Teatre del Liceu

gran teatre del liceu
La Rambla, home of Gran Teatre del Liceu / Photo By Justin via Flickr

The Gran Teatre del Liceu is not only Barcelona’s premier opera house, but a historical institution founded on La Rambla in 1847. It is a symbol of the city’s diverse arts culture. Visiting the Teatre on La Rambla would be a great night out in Barcelona, is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. A nice meander down the tree-lined, open air mall, and maybe a meal or cappuccino at one of the outdoor cafes would be a great precursor or finish to a show. This outing in the heart of Barcelona will be all but disappointing whether it’s your first time in Barcelona, or you’re just looking for something new to try in this wonderful city.

Founded as a theatrical center for the city, a program for Italian-style singing was eventually cultivated. In a one-and-a-half centuries of existence it went through many stages of development, mostly in ownership and management. Finally, in 1994 on the the 31st of January the stage and Auditorium burned to the ground. In 1997 the Gran Teatre del Liceu was rectified. Though certainly a modernized version of its predecessor, the new building is every bit as inviting, elegant and encompassing of Barcelona’s history and culture as ever.

Here are some of the upcoming 2015 operas at the Gran Teatre del Liceu:

Maria Stuarda
This is a lyric tragedy by Giuseppe Bardar based on the play Maria Stuart by Friedrich con Schiller. It tells the story of the rivalry between Mary, Queen of the Scots and her powerful cousin Elizabeth I.

Una voce in off / La voix humaine
These back-to-back one-act operas are wonderful juxtapositions to each another. Una voce in off is a romantic opera about a woman falling in love while hearing the voice of her dead husband through a tape recorder. La voix humaine, on the other hand, is a lyric tragedy about a woman who refuses to accept the truth.

Norma
This is Vincenzo Bellini’s most famous opera, and a lyric tragedy of Italian romanticism in which the high priestess, Norma, falls in love, breaks her vow of celibacy and has two children. This story of the classic revengeful and passionate heroine is a must-see for any opera fans.

Siegfried
This is the third part of The Ring of Nibelung, a monument of Western culture. This classic drama of the human urge to self-destruct finds the characters moved beyond sense to violate the laws of nature.

Tristan und Isolde
A classic drama of betrayal, guilt, and revenge is the ultimate battle for honor in this story of nonsensical passion. Wagner’s classic tale paralleling romanticism and modernity is another one for the opera lovers out there.

If you’re a real opera buff than you might consider staying at one of these bizFlats accommodations right in La Rambla neighborhood where Gran Teatre del Liceu is located. Besides the opera you can enjoy the many shops, cafes and restaurants in this historic and beautiful part of Barcelona. Buy your opera tickets in advance to be sure to get the best seats for your favorite show. While you’re staying in the area check out some of the other great La Rambla attractions.

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