Grand Théâtre de Québec facts for kids
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| Address | 269, boulevard René-Lévesque Est Quebec City, Quebec G1R 2B3 |
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| Coordinates | 46°48′23″N 71°13′18″W / 46.80635°N 71.22175°W |
| Capacity | 1,885 (Salle Louis Fréchette) 510 (Salle Octave Crémazie) 2,395 (Total) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | January 16, 1971 |
| Architect | Victor Prus |
The Grand Théâtre de Québec is a famous building in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. It's a special place where people go to watch live shows like plays, concerts, and operas.
This theatre was built to celebrate two important events. One was the Canadian Centennial in 1967, which marked 100 years since Canada became a country. The other was the Quebec Conference, 1864, a key meeting that helped create Canada.
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Discover the Grand Théâtre
The Grand Théâtre was designed by a talented architect named Victor Prus. He was from Poland and Canada. Building started in 1966, but it stopped for a short time. Work began again in late 1967. The theatre officially opened its doors on January 16, 1971.
Inside the Theatre
The Grand Théâtre has two main performance halls. Each hall is named after a famous writer.
- Salle Louis Fréchette: This is the bigger hall. It has 1,885 seats. It's named after Louis-Honoré Fréchette, a French-Canadian writer from the 1800s.
- Salle Octave Crémazie: This hall is smaller, with 510 seats. It's named after Octave Crémazie, a Canadian poet from the 1800s. People called him "the father of French-Canadian poetry."
Home to Music and Arts
Since 1972, the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Québec has been part of the Grand Théâtre building. This is a special school for music students. In 1991, the school had many classrooms and studios. It also had a media center for recording music.
The complex also has a large library. In 1991, this library held over 60,000 items. These included books, music scores, and recordings.
The theatre is used by many different groups. The Orchestre symphonique de Québec performs there often. The Théâtre du Trident and the Opéra de Québec also use the stage. The Quebec City Summer Festival often holds events at the theatre too.
Important Meetings
The Grand Théâtre has hosted important events. In 1985, it was used for the Shamrock Summit. During this meeting, Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney welcomed U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
Protecting a Masterpiece
In 2020, the Grand Théâtre de Québec got a big update. A special glass cover was built around the building. This cover helps protect the theatre's original design. It also protects a beautiful sculpture by artist Jordi Bonet.
The glass cover keeps the building safe from changes in temperature and humidity. This was a new idea in North America when it was done. It helps make sure the theatre stays in great shape for many years.
