Teatro Pérez Galdós

The Teatro Pérez Galdós stands on Calle Lentini in the Triana district of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. It opened in 1890 as the city's principal theatre and was later named after Benito Pérez Galdós, the novelist born in Las Palmas in 1843 and one of the leading figures of 19th-century Spanish literature. The building is a neoclassical opera house with a horseshoe-shaped auditorium, tiers of boxes and balconies, a decorated ceiling and a grand foyer. The theatre suffered serious fire damage in the early 20th century and was rebuilt and reopened, and it has since been restored several times to preserve both its appearance and its technical capacity. It is the home of the Canary Islands' opera season and of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Gran Canaria, and it also hosts theatre, dance and the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria international film festival events. The interior includes decorative painting, gilded plasterwork and a historic stage, and a modern extension has improved backstage and technical facilities. As a working theatre, it has no permanent exhibition; the visit is organised around performances, and occasional guided tours explain the history of the building and its role in the cultural life of the city. Conservation has focused on the auditorium finishes, the structure and the stage machinery, balancing historic authenticity with current safety standards. Performance times vary, and tickets are bought from the theatre's box office or website according to the programme. The location in Triana puts the theatre close to Calle Mayor de Triana, the Parque de San Telmo and the Vegueta historic district, making it an easy addition to a walking day. Evening performances offer the best way to experience the architecture in use.