Teatro Nacional de São Carlos

The Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, Lisbon, is within the Chiado theatre district and is Lisbon’s specifically designed opera house. There is seating for 1150 and is the home of the renowned Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa.

The opera house has an excellent reputation for attracting traveling companies who perform both classical and contemporary works. The companies change regularly so check local listings for the latest performance information. Tickets can be purchased from the ticket office within the Teatro Nacional de Sao Carlos.

History of Teatro São Carlos

The Teatro Nacional de Sao Carlos sits upon the site of the old royal opera house, the Tejo Opera House. The Tejo Opera House, along with large amounts of Lisbon, was destroyed during the 1755 earthquake. The opera house remained in its damaged state until in 1792 funding was arranged by wealthy business men. The architect of the Teatro Nacional de Sao Carlos was José da Costa e Silva, who based his inspiration on the Italian opera houses, Scala in Malian and the Naples opera house.

Outside the styling was simplistic but elegant with the walls painted in the traditional yellow of Lisbon. Inside the concert hall there are five circles, which provide a total seating for 1150 and a grand royal box. Teatro Nacional de Sao Carlos construction was completed in only 6months and the first opera, La Ballerina Amante, was staged on the 30 July 1793 and watched Queen Maria I of Portugal.

Previous the opera had been funded by the royal court, but with business backing it was able to attract fashionable and cutting edge operas, that originated from Italy during that era. The influx of Italian operas and cast enhanced the reputation of the opera house during the 19 century and this good reputation remains.

The Teatro Nacional de Sao Carlos, as set away from many other buildings, managed to survive the major fire which ravaged the theatre district of Chiado in 1985. A resident opera company was established in 1979 and in 1990 extensive building work was completed to improve the backstage and back of house areas.