Heritage of the Teatro Municipal

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Heritage of the Teatro Municipal

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Chile has a very old theater scene that dates back to the 19th century. The theater scene in this country boasts a rich tradition that remains to be one of the most elaborate and oldest in the entire South American continent. Although it suffered a very huge setback during Chile's dictatorial time, when a lot of theaters closed down, there are still a few of them that stands up to this day.

One of them is the Teatro Municipal in Santiago, considered to be the most important of all theaters and opera houses in Chile. First inaugurated in 1857 through the order of President Manuel Montt Torres in 1853, the Teatro Municipal features a French Neoclassical design for its exterior, which can be attributed to the work of French architect Claudio Brunet des Baines.

The existence of the theater was not met without any challenges. In 1870, it experienced a massive fire, while in 1906, it suffered from a devastating earthquake that damaged most of its interiors. However, it was able to survive both tragedies and remain up to this day as a sign of Chile's national identity. As such, it was declared as a national monument in 1974.

It has already played as the theater on which some of the scene's most illustrious artists showcased their craft. Big names in ballet, piano, conducting, violin, and stage acting have all graced the theater's historic halls. Today, musicals held in the theater are still well-attended and continues to be a well-regarded symbol of Chilean heritage. Its current musical director Jan Latham-Koenig, who has already led a lot of European orchestras and operas in the past.

If you've got the time to be in Santiago for a couple of weeks, don't miss out on watching a stage play here. Before you go out and seek adventure in the country's northern and southern provinces, a visit to one of the capital's most precious treasures will be all worth it. For sure, you'll never forget visiting the country's most important theater.

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Tags: • earthquake • national identity • national monument • heritage • culture • teatro •

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