Teatro Pérez Galdós

Teatro Pérez Galdós is the main theatre building of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, capital of the Canary Islands, standing in the historic centre of the city at coordinates 28.1036, -15.4141. For more than a century it has remained the city's leading stage and the permanent home of its opera festival, combining the role of a historic landmark with that of an active cultural institution.

How did the theatre come about?

By the mid-19th century, Las Palmas recognised that it lacked a venue matching its cultural ambitions. In 1866 a group of residents formed a private joint-stock company tasked with raising funds, choosing a site and hiring an architect. Decades passed between that decision and completion of the work: the building finally opened its doors on 6 December 1890, at the time under the name Teatro Tirso de Molina.

Where does the current name come from?

The theatre took on its present name in 1902, honouring the Canarian playwright and novelist Benito Pérez Galdós, one of the most significant Spanish writers of his era. The immediate occasion was a staging of his play "Electra" on this very stage, which sealed the symbolic bond between the writer and his hometown's main theatre. The building has carried his name ever since.

What happened in 1918?

On the night of 28 June 1918, a major fire destroyed almost the entire wooden structure of the original building. Reconstruction did not follow immediately — it was only between 1925 and 1928 that architect Miguel Martín Fernández de la Torre carried out the works that brought the theatre back into use. It reopened on 28 May 1928, an occasion marked by a premiere of the opera "Aida", lending the event a suitably grand character.

What does the theatre look like today?

The building underwent a thorough modernisation completed in 2007, after which it ranks among the technically best-equipped theatre venues in Spain. Despite the upgraded stage machinery and auditorium, the theatre has kept its historic exterior character and remains one of the city's recognisable cultural landmarks.

What role does it play in the city's cultural life?

Teatro Pérez Galdós is the principal theatre venue of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the permanent home of the Alfredo Kraus Opera Festival, one of the most important opera events in the Canary Islands. The Gran Canaria Philharmonic Orchestra performs on its stage regularly, and the programme also includes theatre productions, dance performances and concerts spread across the entire artistic season.

Where exactly is it located?

The building stands in the historic part of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, close to other landmark sites in the city, making it an easy stop to combine with a walk through the old town and surrounding streets.

Frequently asked questions

When did the theatre open? The original building opened on 6 December 1890 under the name Teatro Tirso de Molina.

Why is the theatre called Pérez Galdós? It was renamed in 1902 in honour of the writer Benito Pérez Galdós, following a staging of his drama "Electra" on this stage.

Has the original building survived unchanged? No — a fire on the night of 28 June 1918 destroyed the wooden structure, and the theatre was rebuilt between 1925 and 1928, reopening in 1928 with a premiere of the opera "Aida".

What takes place at the theatre today? It is the permanent home of the Alfredo Kraus Opera Festival and the venue for the Gran Canaria Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as a stage for theatre and dance productions throughout the season.

Is the area around the theatre worth visiting? Yes — the building sits in the historic city centre, close to other landmarks, so a visit is easy to combine with a walk through the old town of Las Palmas.