Grand Théâtre de Québec facts for kids
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Grand Théâtre de Québec in 2020
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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 | 2,395 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | January 16, 1971 |
| Rebuilt | 2020 |
| Architect | Victor Prus |
The Grand Théâtre de Québec is a special building in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. It's a place where people go to watch all kinds of shows, like plays, concerts, and ballets. This theater was built to celebrate two important events in Canadian history. One was the 100th birthday of Canada in 1967. The other was the Quebec Conference, 1864, a big meeting that helped create Canada as a country in 1867.
The building was designed by a talented architect named Victor Prus. Construction started in 1966. There was a short pause in building, but work started again in late 1967. The Grand Théâtre officially opened its doors on January 16, 1971.
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What's Inside the Grand Théâtre?
The Grand Théâtre de Québec has two main performance halls. Each hall is named after a famous French-Canadian writer.
Salle Louis Fréchette
This is the larger of the two halls. It has 1,885 seats, which means a lot of people can watch a show here at once! It's named after Louis-Honoré Fréchette. He was an important writer from the 1800s.
Salle Octave Crémazie
This hall is smaller and more cozy. It has 510 seats. It's named after Octave Crémazie, who was a poet from the 1800s. People called him "the father of French-Canadian poetry."
A Home for Music and Learning
Since 1972, a special music school has been located inside the Grand Théâtre complex. It's called the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Québec. This school helps young musicians learn and grow.
In 1991, the complex had many classrooms and practice studios. It also had a multi-media center for recording music. There's even a large library filled with books, music scores, and recordings. It's a great place for students to learn about music and performing arts.
Famous Visitors and Events
The Grand Théâtre has hosted many important events over the years.
In 1985, the theater was used for a big meeting called the Shamrock Summit. The Canadian Prime Minister, Brian Mulroney, welcomed the U.S. President, Ronald Reagan, to Quebec City.
Protecting the Building's Beauty
In 2020, the Grand Théâtre de Québec got a special upgrade. A beautiful glass cover was built around the outside of the building. This glass "envelope" helps protect the theater's original design. It also protects a large sculpture by artist Jordi Bonet that is part of the building's wall. This new glass cover helps keep the inside temperature and humidity just right. It was one of the first projects of its kind in North America!
Who Uses the Theater?
Many different groups use the Grand Théâtre for their performances. These include the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, which is a symphony orchestra. The Théâtre du Trident, a theater company, also performs here. And the Opéra de Québec stages opera shows. The Quebec City Summer Festival, a big music festival, often holds events at the theater too.
