An Inside Look: La Traviata & Palau de la Música (Barcelona)
Last week, I had the chance to see La Traviata at the gorgeous Palau de la Música in the heart of Barcelona, Spain! This version of La Traviata was produced by Novaria Artists, and it features a full symphonic orchestra and a total of over 80 artists on stage. The production itself was stunning. And in combination of seeing this opera at such a legendary location, it was an unforgettable evening of magic and romance.
At a Glance
🗺️ Location: Barcelona, Spain
📍 Venue: Palau de la Música➝
📅 Dates: Various
🎭 Type of Show: Opera
🌐 Language: Italian
⏰ Runtime: 2 hours
About La Traviata
La Traviata is one of the most commonly performed operas in the world. And after this performance, I could definitely understand why. For those who aren’t familiar with the opera, it’s basically the story of a woman (Violetta) who has just recovered from being ill. She throws a party to celebrate her good health. And from there, she begins to fall in love with a man.
In this production, the lead of Violetta was played by the stunning Marga Cloquell➝. It was an absolute joy to watch her perform. And she was joined by powerhouses Carlos Cremades and Alberto Cazes. By the end of the night, I admit that I did have to fight back a tear or two.
Here’s the exact view of how the stage looked from our seats before the show began! One of the more interesting choices in this production was that the set pieces were carried out at the top of each act. From there, they would dramatically unveil them by pulling off the sheets. And in the photo, you can also see how the orchestra sits directly on stage.
It was an evening of class from start to finish. The orchestra was fantastic. The hall was beautiful. And something else that I had never experienced before is that this music hall was filled with natural sunlight! So as the night went on, the room became dimmer and dimmer, adding to the dramatics of the entire production.
Another cool thing is that during intermission, you have the chance to go outside and enjoy a drink in the Palau’s private backyard area (see below).
About La Palau de la Música
Palau de la Música was designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner in 1905 and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The Palau hosts a wide range of shows, from flamenco to opera, but if you don’t have time for a show, you can also choose to see the interior with one of their guided tours.
Inside the Palau Tour
In addition to attending the show, we got the special treat of attending the Palau’s English guided tour! The tour starts off in a beautiful mini cinema-style room. And there we watched a video about the history of the Palau. The tour group was a pretty decent size with about 30 or so people. After watching the film, we were guided up the stairs and to the main concert hall. We were given some time to soak it all in and take photos before the tour guide gave us some interesting bits of information.
The coolest part of the tour was probably the giant organ demonstration! The acoustics in the hall are incredible. From there, we got the chance to go out on the balcony (which was something we didn’t get to do during the night of the opera). And then we got to see the concert hall from another perspective, which was a relaxing way to spend the morning. And if you don’t get the chance to see a show at the Palau, I would say that it’s at least a good idea to take the tour!
What to Know Before You Go
If you have to choose between doing the tour or seeing a show, I would definitely suggest paying a bit extra to see a show. And if you’re looking to combine your experience with some tasty food or drink, I can recommend checking out Casa Lolea➝ for some amazing sangria, tapas, and patatas bravas.
* A special thanks to Novaria Artists and Palau de la Música for the show invitation and tour!
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Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip and the author of The Thespian’s Bucket List. She is also the creator of The Cast Album List. Her background includes a BA in Theatre, a TESOL Drama certificate, and professional experience in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
