Teatre Principal (Barcelona) facts for kids
The Teatre Principal (also known as Teatro Principal in Spanish) is the oldest theatre in Barcelona, Spain. It was first started in 1579. The building was constructed between 1597 and 1603. Over the years, it was rebuilt many times, especially in 1788 and 1848. The theatre was originally called the Teatro de la Santa Cruz (or Teatre de la Santa Creu in Catalan). You can find it on the famous street called La Rambla.
Contents
History of the Teatre Principal
How the Theatre Started
The Teatre Principal began thanks to a gift from Joan Bosch. He donated land and houses on La Rambla in Barcelona. This gift was given to the Hospital of the Holy Cross. This hospital was very important in the city at that time. The idea was to build a theatre there. The money earned from plays and shows would help the hospital pay its costs. To make sure the hospital earned enough, the theatre was the only place allowed to host plays in Barcelona.
Fires and Rebuilding
The theatre faced some tough times. On October 27, 1787, a big fire completely destroyed it. But people wanted the theatre back! Rich nobles, like the Marquess of Ciutadella, helped with donations. Thanks to their help, a new and grander theatre was built. It opened its doors on November 4, 1788.
Later Years and Closure
The Teatre Principal went through three more fires over the years. In 1847, another big opera house, the Liceu opera house, opened in Barcelona. This made the Teatre Principal less popular. It started to decline. However, in 1889, people campaigned to save it from being torn down. They succeeded! Sadly, in January 2006, the Teatre Principal finally closed its doors as a working theatre.
Famous Performances
The Teatre Principal was a very important place for shows. Since 1750, it had a regular opera season. Many plays and operas had their first Spanish performances here. It also hosted the world premieres of Spanish works. These included operas by famous composers like Ferran Sor, Vicenç Cuyàs, and Ramon Carnicer.
See also
In Spanish: Teatro Principal (Barcelona) para niños
