Take a seat in the elegant Municipal Theatre of Santiago (Teatro Municipal de Santiago) and enjoy captivating ballet, opera and philharmonic shows. The theater is the highlight of Santiago’s performing arts scene and opened in 1857 with a presentation of Giuseppe Verdi’s Ernani. Since then it has welcomed famous names in opera and ballet, such as Luciano Pavarotti and Julio Bocca.
Watch both classic and contemporary performances by the Chilean National Ballet, such as Giselle, Zorba the Greek and Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. Enjoy renditions of famous operas, including Verdi’s Otello, Mozart’s The Magic Flute and The Puritans by Vincenzo Bellini. The Santiago Philharmonic Orchestra provides the music for the operas in addition to staging their own recitals. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and Symphony No. 103 by Haydn are two examples of shows by the philharmonic orchestra.
Other events taking place at the theater are piano concerts plus operas and ballets specially adapted for kids. Examples of kid-friendly events are productions of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Steadfast Tin Soldier and Hansel and Gretel by the Brothers Grimm.
Allow time to appreciate the theater’s architecture, characterized by the grand, neoclassical façade designed by French architect Claudio Francisco Brunet des Baines. Admire the interior’s ornamental columns, elegant arches, marble floors and velvet-upholstered chairs in the foyer.
The Municipal Theatre of Santiago stands in Santiago’s historic center and is just a short walk from Plaza de Armas. Buses and the Santa Lucía metro stop provide easy access. Nearby attractions include the scenic Santa Lucía Hill and San Francisco Church with its extensive collection of colonial and religious art.
Theater shows take place year-round. Ballet and opera performances run from April to December and May to November respectively. Purchase tickets at the theater’s box office or via its official website. The theater offers guided tours, in English and Spanish, on Thursday and Friday. Tours grant the opportunity to stand on stage and go behind-the-scenes of the theater while learning about its long history. Full tour details and an event schedule are available on the theater's official website.
