Founded by the Liceu Filharmònic-Dramàtic Barcelonès cultural society, the Gran Teatre del Liceu was inaugurated in 1847. The auditorium (one of the largest in Europe) has hosted the premieres of several works by top contemporary composers. It has showcased the ballets of Diaghilev, and the greatest voices, including the emblematic Catalan singer Monserrat Caballé, for starters.