1. Dream venues for music lovers
Whether you’re into pop, rock, classical or jazz, Europe has some stunning venues in which to enjoy your favourite music. From ancient Roman amphitheatres to modernist masterpieces, these incredible buildings are bound to enhance your listening experience.
2. Margravial Opera House, Bayreuth, Germany
Built between 1745 and 1750, the Margravial Opera House in Bayreuth is a masterpiece of Baroque theatre architecture and the only surviving example of its kind still in use today. Beautifully preserved (and partially restored between 2012 and 2018), the intricate and highly decorated wooden interior was designed by Giuseppe Galli Bibiena in the Italian late Baroque style. It features tiered loges, illusionistic painted canvas, lavish gilt highlights and an elaborate trompe l’oeil ceiling. The auditorium seats around 500 people, providing an intimate yet stunning setting for each new season of opera and classical music.
3. Teatro Regio, Turin, Italy
It may seem hard to believe when looking at its striking auditorium, but the origins of Turin’s Teatro Regio stretch back to 1740. The original theatre was a sumptuous affair, witnessing the premiere of Puccini’s La Boheme in 1896. It burned down in 1936 leaving only the façade intact and it wasn’t until 1973 that the new theatre was inaugurated, with its bold modernist design by Carlo Mollino. Bright red seats catch the eye, while the floor and wall coverings contrast with cream-coloured boxes and an elegantly curving rib-vaulted ceiling. A spectacular cluster of glass ‘icicles’ illuminates the hall from above.
4. Opera Garnier, Paris, France
Commissioned by Napoleon III and inaugurated in 1875, the Opera Garnier is one of the most opulent and prestigious music venues in the world. Named after its architect, Charles Garnier, it comprises a stunning blend of Baroque and renaissance architecture. Virtually every corner of its labyrinthine interior is covered in elaborate marble friezes, intricate mosaics, gilt bronze fittings and ornate mirrors. The ceiling of the breathtaking auditorium was painted by Marc Chagall. Although primarily a venue for classical music, it has also hosted famous popular artists such as Frank Sinatra, George Michael and Liza Minnelli.
5. Royal Ballet and Opera, London, England, UK
The Royal Ballet and Opera (formerly the Royal Opera House) in London’s Covent Garden is one of the UK’s most historic performing arts venues. Opened in 1858, the current building is the third theatre to occupy the same site, after the first two were destroyed by fire. Despite numerous expansions and improvements over the years, the original façade, foyer, and the stunning horseshoe-shaped auditorium remain intact, providing a breathtaking setting for performances by the resident Royal Ballet and Opera companies, as well as occasional shows by pop acts like Pet Shop Boys, Rufus Wainwright, and even Motorhead.
