Teatro Metropolitano: A Guide to One of Medellín’s Largest Theaters

We provide a guide to Teatro Metropolitano (Metropolitan Theater), which is one of the largest theaters in Medellín that hosts many events yearly including concerts and other performing arts.

Several Medellin Guru readers have asked about the theaters in Medellín. So, we start our look at the theaters in Medellín with one the largest theaters in the city.

Teatro Metropolitano José Gutiérrez Gómez is home to the Philharmonic Orchestra of Medellín. And this theater hosts many events each year including concerts, symphonies, ballet, plays, comedy and other performing arts. Note the above photos are courtesy of Teatro Metropolitano.

Teatro Metropolitano José Gutiérrez Gómez, photo by SajoR

History of Teatro Metropolitano

A few years after the Junín and Bolívar theaters in Medellín succumbed to the desire for modernity, Medellín needed a new space for cultured music. The desire was for a larger theater that offered better acoustics than Teatro Pablo Tobón Uribe.

In November 2001, the planned new theater for Medellín was designated with the name Teatro Metropolitano José Gutiérrez Gómez, as a tribute to a civic man from Antioquia who was a founding partner of the Medellin Cultural Association

Teatro Metropolitano José Gutiérrez Gómez opened on February 19, 1987. The construction of this theater was built on a lot of 19,000 square meters (204,500 square feet). And it’s estimated that the facade of the theater includes 1,200,000 bricks.

Seating chart, courtesy of Teatro Metropolitano

More About the Theater

The theater has a total capacity for 1634 spectators including 372 seats in the balcony. Acoustic ceilings in concrete and wood suspended from the deck act as reflectors of sound and establish the acoustic conditions of a room that requires careful balances for the various event held at the theater.

The stage has auxiliary spaces and all the necessary equipment for theater, opera and concert events. Also, the theater has dressing rooms and is equipped with a stage, sound and lighting system.

Anniversary Concert in May 2016, photo courtesy of Teatro Metropolitano

Events at Teatro Metropolitano

In over 30 years, this theater has presented more than 4,700 events with a total attendance of close to 3.5 million spectators. The events at the theater have included concerts, symphonies, ballet, plays, comedy and other performing arts.

In addition, this theater each year is the scene of various seasons and festivals. These seasons and festivals include the Medellin Cultural Classical International Music Season, the Official Concert Season of the Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra, the Medellin International Opera Season, the International Jazz Festival and World Music Festival.

Main entrance of Teatro Metropolitano

Buying Tickets

You can buy tickets from the ticket office from 10 am to 6 pm (ticket office phone +57 4 262 61 57) and from 10 am to 8 pm on event days. Tickets for events typically have a range of prices. For example, two recent events had prices of 20,000 to 25,000 pesos for one event and 40,000 to 80,000 pesos for another event.

In addition, events listed on the theater website will normally have a button to buy tickets on the Tuboleta website.

Furthermore, Medellin Guru covers Medellín events, which we update weekly. And we typically include one or two events each week at this theater.

This theater is located about a 10-minute walk from the Alpujarra metro station

How to Get to Teatro Metropolitano

Teatro Metropolitano is located in El Centro near Plaza Mayor. One way to get there is by using the Medellín Metro. To get there take the A Line to the Alpujarra station. The theater is located about a 10-minute walk from this metro station.

But after dark we don’t recommend walking from the metro station. But you can take a minimum-fare taxi from the metro station to the theater.

Also, the theater is located near many bus routes. On Carrera 57 or Avenida Ferrocarril you have access to bus routes to and from the north and south of the city, as well as to the west and south east. Some of the bus routes include, Belén Las Playas 170, Guayabal 141 and 142, Prado, Itagüí, Caldas and Prado.

Taxis are another option to get to this theater from your location. Just tell the driver “Teatro Metropolitano” or provide the driver the address below.

Website: https://www.teatrometropolitano.com/

Address: Calle 41 # 57-30, El Centro, Medellín

Phone: +57 4 232 4597

Theaters in Medellín

So far on the Medellin Guru website we have looked six theaters in the Medellín metro area:

1. Universidad de Medellín Teatro – the largest theater in Medellín located on the University of Medellín campus – with capacity for 1,702 spectators.
2. Teatro Metropolitano José Gutiérrez Gómez – one of the largest theaters in Medellín – with capacity for 1,634 spectators.
3. Teatro Lido – a popular theater in El Centro where all events are free – with capacity for 1,100 spectators.
4. Teatro Pablo Tobón Uribe – a popular theater in El Centro – with capacity for 923 spectators
5. Pequeno Teatro – a small but popular theater in El Centro – with capacity in its larger space for about 400 spectators.
6. Teatro Matacandelas – a very small but intimate theater in El Centro that is popular – with capacity for about 140 spectators.

Also, we plan to look at a few additional theaters in the Medellín area in detail plus publish a comprehensive guide to all the theaters in Medellín.

Rear view of Teatro Metropolitano

The Bottom Line: Teatro Metropolitano

Teatro Metropolitano is one the largest theater in Medellín and it has many events each year ranging from concerts, symphonies, ballet, plays, comedy and other performing arts.

There are normally at least one or two events at this theater weekly. And we plan to include events at this theater in our Medellín Events calendar that is updated weekly. I have been to several concerts at this theater over the past eight years and it’s a nice theater.

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