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The 11 Most Beautiful Theaters in the World

July 14, 2023

Spanning styles and purpose, these stunning buildings prove it’s not just the performances hosted within that can be considered art

By Katherine McLaughlin
Aside from their astounding aesthetics, there is no singular element that defines or unites the most beautiful theaters in the world. Some are centuries old, some less than a decade. A handful are designed in opulent, ornate styles of the 19th century, others with sleek curves and smooth surfaces of the modern age. Many don’t even have the same purpose: The theaters on this list are opera houses, concert halls, and even movie theaters. Nonetheless, they shine through for their unique designs, creative innovations, and stunning appearances. Below, journey with AD to the 11 most beautiful theaters in the world.
Photo: Andria Patino/Getty Images
1/11

Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles, California)

Home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Walt Disney Concert Hall was designed by Frank Gehry and inaugurated in 2003. The sweeping structure is a frequently cited example of deconstructivist architecture and is considered one of the most acoustically sophisticated performance venues in the world.
2/11

Palau de la Música Catalana (Barcelona, Spain)

Located in Barcelona, the Palau de la Música Catalana is a striking picture of Catalan Art Nouveau design. Built following the vision of architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, the structure was originally designed for a choral society, Orfeó Català. The stunning theater was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
Photo: Danny Lehman/Getty Images
Photo: Arkadij Schell/Getty Images
3/11

Palacio de Bellas Artes (Mexico City, Mexico)

One of the most iconic cultural centers in Mexico, the Palacio de Bellas Artes has hosted a variety of programming, including art, dance, and theater performances. An amalgamation of different architectural styles, including art deco and neoclassical, the building was designed by Adamo Boari and Federico E. Mariscal and features interior decorations depicting Mexican plants, animal life, and masks from pre-Hispanic traditions.
4/11

Opéra Garnier (Paris, France)

Built under Emperor Napoleon III, the Opéra Garnier—also known as the The Palais Garnier—is a 1,979-seat opera house in Paris. Designed by Charles Garnier, the theater was imagined in the “Napoleon III style,” which features a collection of ornamentation and elements reminiscent of baroque Palladio Renaissance architecture. The façade features a collection of sculptures inspired by themes such as “harmony,” “instrumental music,” and “dance.” Guests can also find busts of famous composers like Beethoven, Mozart, and Rossini between the columns of the front exterior.
Photo: Yang Liu/Getty Images
Photo: CHEUNGHYO/Getty Images
5/11

Harbin Grand Theater (Harbin, China)

The silky curves of the Harbin Grand Theater may make it look like something out of a futuristic fantasy movie, but the extraordinary building is not the product of a hopeful daydream. Designed by MAD Architects and opened in 2015, the multi-venue center includes a grand theater, smaller theater, and multiple rehearsal halls. However, perhaps the most unique feature of  the structure is that patrons are reportedly encouraged to climb on the roof of the building for sightseeing.
6/11

Raj Mandir (Jaipur, India)

Raj Mandir, a large movie theater in Jaipur, has been the setting for numerous Hindi movie premiers. The Art Deco–style structure was designed by W. M. Namjoshi and features a collection of zigzags and asymmetrical shapes on the façade.
Photo: Atlantide Phototravel/Getty Images
Photo:  Walter Bibikow/Getty Images
7/11

Sydney Opera House (Sydney, Australia)

Perhaps no theater is as instantly recognizable as the Sydney Opera House. With a distinctive roof line that appears more like sails cutting through the harbor, the structure is easily regarded as a masterpiece of contemporary design. However, the theater, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, also has a dramatic history involving ballooning construction costs, prompting Utzon to walk out on the project.
8/11

Teatro di San Carlo (Naples, Italy)

Originally opening in 1773, the Teatro di San Carlo is the oldest continuously active opera house in the world. The masterpiece was commissioned by Bourbon King Charles VII of Naples and designed by Giovanni Medrano.
Photo: Rob Tilley/Getty Images
Photo: Gonzalo Azumendi/Getty Images
9/11

The Vienna State Opera (Vienna, Austria)

Completed in 1869, the Vienna State Opera was the first building on the Vienna Ring Road, a boulevard that encircles the historic Innere Stadt district. The Renaissance revival building was designed by architects August Sicard von Sicardsburg and Eduard van der Nüll. On the day of its inauguration, both Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth of Austria were in attendance.
10/11

Steinmetz Hall (Orlando, Florida)

Located in Orlando, Florida, Steinmetz Hall is one of the world’s most acoustically advanced theaters. Situated within the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the unique structure sits on steel train tracks, which allows the seats to morph shape and orientation depending on the type of arrangement needed for various performances.
Photo: Ciro Coelho
Photo: Patrick Price
11/11

Lobero Theatre (Santa Barbara, California)

In February of 2023, the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara celebrated its 150th anniversary. Designed by notable California architect George Washington Smith in collaboration with Lutah Maria Riggs, the property was finished around the time the city’s architectural personality was taking shape. Designed in the Spanish Colonial style, the aesthetic is now interwoven into the city’s identity.
This article is originally available in www.architecturaldigest.com