Review: Palau de la Música Catalana

Give us the big picture: What’s the vibe of the place, what’s it like?
It might be the Palace of Catalan Music, but you come as much for your eyes as your ears. Outside, hefty stone pillars draped in floral mosaics hint that something special lies within—that, and the small matter of a UNESCO World Heritage classification. Still, the auditorium will surprise you: a kaleidoscope of roses, chandeliers, and stained glass, it’s like 50 brides threw their wedding bouquets and they all exploded in the sky. For once, we don’t have Gaudí to thank. This is the work of Modernist architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, a building some say is even prettier than the mosaic master’s La Sagrada Família.

What kinds of events can we see here?
Built to house the Orfeó Català symphonic choir, today’s musical acts span from choral to pianists, jazz, flamenco, and operas such as La Traviata and Carmen. Ticket prices vary with notoriety, from around €18 ($22) to a bank-note-hitting €175 ($215) for a headline act. Check that the location says "sala de conciertos" rather than "little palau," a smaller room that’s more like a cinema screening room than a Modernist marvel.

Nice. How are the seats?
Seat quality definitely varies; the sides, at the back, offer the worst views. Book online and the website shows your exact sightline before you buy.

Good for kids?
There are concerts specifically for families (called Concerts Familiars al Palau), designed to be more interactive and held earlier in the day.

Anything in particular that makes this place special, from the programming to a unique feature it has?
The building is it. The bejeweled pillar-work in Sala Lluís Millet, a room dedicated to the founder of the Orfeó Català choir, is as popular with Instagram influencers as it is music fans.

If we’re going to be in town, what—and who—do you think this is best for?
A key decision is whether to visit in daylight, for a tour, when the building is at its most spectacular, or at night, for a concert, when the music is.