Two of Barcelona’s most celebrated cultural institutions, the Grec Festival de Barcelona and the Teatre Lliure, will mark their joint 50th anniversaries in 2026 with an ambitious co-production of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill’s seminal classic, The Threepenny Opera.
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The new Catalan-language production, titled L’òpera de tres rals, is set to be a cornerstone of the city’s 2026 cultural calendar. It will premiere as the opening performance of the Grec Festival on 29 June 2026 at the historic Teatre Grec amphitheatre on Montjuïc. Following its festival run, the show will then launch the Teatre Lliure’s 2026-2027 season at its Montjuïc venue on 17 September.
A Landmark Collaboration
The joint venture celebrates a shared history, as both institutions were founded in 1976 during the vibrant cultural awakening of Spain’s transition to democracy. At a press conference held at the Teatre Lliure, Barcelona’s Councillor for Culture, Xavier Marcé, described the dual anniversary as a “happy coincidence” that demanded an event of “extraordinary magnitude.”
“It was essential to find a major production, one that reflects everything culture can contribute to contemporary life, which is so full of problems both internationally and locally,” Marcé explained, according to reports in El País. He noted that the choice of Brecht’s masterpiece not only provides an undeniable classic but also solves the perennial challenge of selecting a suitably impactful opening for the city’s premier performing arts festival.
Julio Manrique, director of the Teatre Lliure, called the alliance “fantastic news.” He reminisced about the spirit of the founding year: “In ’76, many things happened: there was hope, a desire to do things, a desire for freedom, and the Grec Festival and the Lliure were born. Celebrations are cooler in company.”
A Fresh Take on a Classic
Acclaimed Galician director Marta Pazos, also born in 1976, will helm the production. Dani Espasa will lead the musical direction, conducting a live ten-piece orchestra with period-appropriate instruments like the banjo, bandoneon, and Hawaiian guitar.
Actor Nao Albet will play the iconic role of Macheath, or Macky Navaja. The cast also includes Marta Bernal, Eduard Farelo, Júlia Truyol, and Miriam Moukhles. Playwright Marc Rosich’s brand new translation into contemporary Catalan is designed to be direct and break the fourth wall in true Brechtian style.
Pazos, who is also designing the set, expressed her excitement for the project, which she called “the realisation of a dream.” She explained that her vision for the scenography pays homage to Fabià Puigserver, the legendary director and a founding soul of the Teatre Lliure. “We must dialogue with the classics to create a map of the present,” Pazos remarked, highlighting the play’s enduring relevance as a critique of savage capitalism written just before the 1929 financial crash. Actor Nao Albet promised audiences a memorable experience, stating enthusiastically, “It’s going to blow your minds.”
Brecht’s Enduring Legacy in Barcelona
Bertolt Brecht’s work deeply resonates with both institutions. The Teatre Lliure’s inaugural 1976-77 season famously included a legendary production of Brecht and Weill’s Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, directed by Puigserver. Meanwhile, the Grec Festival has previously opened with a Brecht play on two occasions: a 2002 version of this very opera by Calixto Bieito and Àlex Rigola’s staging of Saint Joan of the Stockyards in 2004.
Leticia Martín, director of the Grec Festival, beautifully captured the spirit of the partnership. “The Lliure and the festival are like Siamese twins separated at birth,” she said. “Celebrating together is a brilliant idea; it makes us stronger in every way.”
Ultimately, this anniversary production of The Threepenny Opera is poised to be more than just a highlight of the theatrical season. It powerfully celebrates Barcelona’s cultural resilience and collaborative spirit, reflecting on 50 years of artistic innovation while confronting the pressing questions of today. It offers a unique opportunity for audiences to engage with a classic, reimagined for the contemporary Catalan stage.
