Gran Teatre del Liceu, Bacelona.

Standing majestic in Barcelona, in La Rambla, the avenue symbolizing the old quarter, the Liceu is today considered as a prestigious opera house the world over. Over 150 years of history have turned it into a theatre of international renown and one of the most-loved symbols of Barcelona, so much so, that its people have rebuilt it twice. Today it is also regarded as one of Catalonia's most dynamic cultural institutions.

The Gran Teatre del Liceu was built in 1847. Its origins lie in the Amateur Dramatics Society, created in 1837 in the old convent of Montsio in the Portal de l'Angel by some members of the National Militia- armed civilian forces of a liberal outlook-at the initiative of Manuel Gibert. Over the next decade, this theatre had to make it possible for two companies to exist along side each other: one of declamation- textual theatre-and another of Italian singing-opera. This orientation was in fact maintained until the 1880's. However operas, particularly the Italian ones were a dominating force since the 1860's. The most common composers of this period were Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti and Verdi who became the most represented composer in the theatre's history.

The period from the late nineteenth to the late twentieth century in the theatre's history is marked with historical events, social and cultural circumstance, new ideologies, calamity in the form of two fire outbreaks (due to which the theatre suffered considerable damage) and the importance that ballet assumed besides the opera. Both ballet and opera brought significant repute to the theatre as major works of great composers such as Wagner, Richard Strauss, Bizet and others were performed. Anna Pavlova, the famous ballet dancer also performed there. The Russian Ballets of Montecarlo (1933-1935) were introduced with set designs by artists like Derain, Masson, De Chirico, Dufy and Berard, and also by Miro. There is no dearth of the famous names associated with this theatre, including that of the renowned artist Picasso.

Today the Liceu, apart from its splendid architecture (which has an interesting history of its own) has everything, including state-of-the-art equipment that makes up an opera house. The Theatre Auditorium for instance is one of the most impressive examples of 19th century theatrical architecture, now incorporating the technical installations, comfort and safety required today. It can hold an audience of 2,292 on six floors, and is one of the largest opera auditoriums in the world.

Liceu's Artistic Programming ensures to create works of art that have music as the preferred language and which can be diffused to as large a public as possible. A season at the Liceu includes opera, dance concerts, singing recitals as well as a programme specifically designed for a younger audience. Every year between 10 and 12 operas are put on, with over 100 performances. Around each opera, there are other planned activities such as giving complementary information about the work being performed, concerts dedicated to the composer, shows about the their musical context and other similar things.

The Artistic Programming is extended even to the other types of shows such as dance, concerts and recitals. The programming follows set objectives in all areas of performance that take place in the many venues inside the theatre besides the grand auditorium. Understanding audience behaviour forms an integral part of this programming. Liceu today being a public theatre run by bodies such as the Generaliat de Catalunya (autonomous government), Barcelona City Council and the Ministry of Culture- and administered by the Gran Teatre del Liceu Foundation, is not an exclusive theatre of one social sector or a restricted elite of opera buffs. It believes in sustaining a wide-ranging audience.

From 1999 onwards, the expression "Everyone's Liceu" has been used, emphasizing the plebian nature it has assumed. Amongst the different initiatives undertaken to achieve the aim of sustaining and creating new audience, there has been an introduction of reduced ticket prices, popular prices, public radio and television publicity, educational programmes, etc. The theatre also has its own caf� and shop where it is possible to buy souvenirs, a variety of simple but ingenious musical instruments, books and artifacts. A section of the shop is also dedicated to the display of opera items (which can be bought) such as masks, headbands, costumes, etc for children! The Liceu in short is impressive, stately and truly an over-riding cultural symbol of La Rambla, that beautiful long boulevard etched in the consciousness of the Catalonians.