The Gran Teatro de La Habana is Cuba's national theatre — a Neo-Baroque confection built in 1915 on the foundation of an earlier 1838 theatre, where Enrico Caruso famously refused to perform in 1920 because of a hurricane warning (he was afraid of the weather, not the singing). The theatre is the home of the Cuban National Ballet (founded by Alicia Alonso in 1948), the Cuban National Opera, and the Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba company, and its opulent marble staircases, chandeliers, and gilt-decorated auditorium make it one of the most beautiful opera houses in Latin America.
The building was restored in 2015 to mark the centennial and the visit of Pope Francis. Backstage tours (available most afternoons) provide access to the main auditorium, the dressing rooms used by Nureyev and Baryshnikov during Cold War visits, and the rooftop for views across Parque Central to the Capitolio. An evening ballet performance is one of the most affordable ways (Cuban prices) to experience world-class dance.
Verified Facts
The current theatre was built in 1915
The Cuban National Ballet was founded by Alicia Alonso in 1948
The theatre was restored in 2015
Caruso famously refused to perform during a 1920 hurricane warning
Get walking directions
Paseo del Prado, Centro Habana, Havana, Cuba
