Classical music in Barcelona: large auditoriums and a commitment to new generations

Barcelona is home to three major venues that host a spectacular programme of classical music, ballet and opera every year. The Gran Teatre del Liceu dates back to 1847 and was built thanks to the endeavours of the Catalan upper-classes who wanted the city to have its own opera house. Its stage has played host to some of the most prestigious bel canto and classical music productions. Its majestic architecture with its art-nouveau elements, is equally impressive. The Palau de la Música Catalana is the only concert hall in the world to have been awarded UNESCO Word Heritage status. This imposing, and exceptionally beautiful building by Lluís Domènech i Montaner is also a highly prestigious venue. It was built between 1905 and 1908 as the home of the choral society, the Orfeó Català. The exterior of the building, with its sculptures, mosaics, stained glass and wrought iron, and its interior, with its profusion of floral motifs, will simply leave you speechless. Make sure you visit!

L'Auditori is Barcelona's most recent music venue. Built in 1999, and with exceptional acoustics, it has become a hub for the dissemination of music and research and education in this field. L'Auditori is also home to the Museu de la Música, which takes you on a journey through history and cultures with musical instruments as the linking thread. The Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya (OBC) is the resident orchestra at L'Auditori. The Orquestra Simfònica del Gran Teatre del Liceu is the city's other prestigious orchestra. It has been conducted by great maestros, such as Manuel de Falla, Igor Stravinsky, Richard Strauss and Kirill Petrenko.

These concert halls are committed to future generations of young music performers and support and host prestigious competitions, such as the Maria Canals contest for pianists and the Tenor Viñas contest, which is one of the most important competitions in the world of opera, oratorio and Lieder. And future generations also take centre stage in the varied programme of classical music for families, such as the Petit Liceu and the family concerts at the Palau de la Música and L'Auditori. They have all been designed to introduce children to the world of classical music and inject them with enthusiasm for the great classics.