Gran Teatre del Liceu
The oldest concert venue in Barcelona is the Liceo, which opened in 1847. It is officially known in Catalan, the "official" language of the region, as Gran Teatre del Liceu (Grand Theater of the Lyceum), but most people use the shortened version of its Spanish name and call it the Liceo. Its inner public rooms, like those found in most of the great European opera houses of the mid-19th century, are extravagant and elegant. A 1994 fire, destroyed the stage and much of the auditorium. It took five years to rebuild and restore things to their original elegance. But the work paid off.

Ascending the red-carpeted marble staircase you arrive at the ornate Salon of Mirrors with its ceiling paintings, golden chandeliers and classical columns at the base of five gilded balconies topped by a ceiling covered with allegorical paintings. Although the 2700-seat hall is used for an array of ballet, opera, concerts and recitals, Opera reigns supreme at the Liceo. It is nearly impossible to get a seat here without making arrangements well in advance.