The Teatro Nacional de São Carlos in Lisbon's Chiado district opened on 30 June 1793, replacing the Tagus Opera House destroyed in the 1755 earthquake. Lisbon merchants financed the building, which architect José da Costa e Silva erected in just six months with neoclassical and Rococo elements; Italian theatres such as Milan's La Scala served as models. The name honours Princess Carlota Joaquina. The first opera performed was Cimarosa's La ballerina amante, and from 1800 Marcos Portugal was musical director. In the mid-19th century the theatre passed into state ownership. The elliptical auditorium has five tiers of boxes. Since 1993 the house has had its own opera company, with the Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa as its affiliated orchestra. The building has been a National Monument since 1996.
The Teatro Nacional de São Carlos in Lisbon, opened in 1793, is the only active opera house in Portugal — the hall with its rich Rococo decoration is considered one of the most beautiful preserved theatre buildings of the eighteenth century.
At a glance
- Type
- Opera house
- Location
- Lisbon, Portugal
More venues in Lisbon
- Teatro Camões · Opera house, Lisbon