The Gran Teatro de la Habana (officially Gran Teatro de la Habana Alicia Alonso) is a major venue for the performing arts. It’s the home of the Cuban National Ballet and the Cuban National Opera. The Gran Teatro de la Habana has welcomed famous performers from around the world, including Russian dancer Anna Pávlova and French mime artist Marcel Marceau. It also offers guided tours of the architecturally impressive building and its various stages.
The theater started life in 1838 as the Gran Teatro de Tacón. On this basis, it lays claim to being one of the longest functioning theaters in Latin America. Since the 1960s, ballets have been a mainstay of the theater’s event schedule. The venue reopened in early 2016 after an extensive renovation program to bring it back to its 20th-century grandeur.
Gaze in appreciation at the theater’s neo-Baroque façade, designed by Belgian architect Paul Belau. Allegorical sculptures by Italian Giuseppe Moretti decorate the exterior. Step inside to discover an elegant lobby, grand staircase and gleaming ballroom, among other luxurious aspects. Learn about the theater’s history on a guided tour and get the chance to watch dress rehearsals.
For the complete experience, book tickets for a show at the 1,500-seat capacity main stage, the Garcia Lorca auditorium. Sit back and be astounded by the incredible acoustics. Watch performances of celebrated ballets such as Don Quixote, Giselle and Swan Lake. Enjoy operas and contemporary dance presentations. Every 2 years the theater hosts the International Ballet Festival of Havana.
The theater stands in Central Havana and at the southern end of the tree-lined boulevard, Paseo de Martí. It’s adjacent to El Capitolio, the former seat of the Cuban congress. An interesting way to get here is to walk along Paseo de Martí, which starts at the Malecón and skirts the edge of Old Havana.
Purchase your tickets for events at the Gran Teatro de la Habana at the box office. Ask here about guided tours, often conducted by members of the ballet and opera companies.
