Teatro Tapia facts for kids
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| Address | Calle Fortaleza San Juan Puerto Rico |
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| Coordinates | 18°27′56″N 66°6′43″W / 18.46556°N 66.11194°W |
| Owner | Municipal Government of San Juan |
| Capacity | 700 |
| Construction | |
| Built | September 21, 1824 |
| Opened | 1832 |
| Years active | 1832 - present |
| Architect | José Navarro y Herrero (1832 original design) Tulio Larrínaga (1877 restoration) |
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Teatro Tapia
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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| Architectural style | Renaissance Revival |
| Part of | Old San Juan Historic District (ID72001553 & ID13000284) |
| Significant dates | |
| Designated CP | October 10, 1972 |
| Designated NHLDCP | February 27, 2013 |
The Teatro Alejandro Tapia y Rivera, often called "Teatro Tapia," is the oldest theater building in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is a very important place for arts and culture. The theater is named after Alejandro Tapia y Rivera, a famous Puerto Rican poet and writer who lived from 1826 to 1882.
Where is Teatro Tapia Located?
The Teatro Tapia is in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It faces east, looking out onto Plaza de Colón. The theater is on Fortaleza Street. It was built way back in 1824.
The theater was designed in an Italian style. It has a special horseshoe shape. Inside, there are three levels of seating areas called "boxes." Near the theater, you can find other interesting places. These include the restored Casino de Puerto Rico, the YMCA, the Carnegie library, and the Ateneo Puertorriqueño. Also nearby is the historic San Cristóbal, a large old fort.
Why is This Theater Important?
For more than 100 years, Teatro Tapia was the main place for cultural events in San Juan. Many famous performers have appeared on its stage.
- One famous singer was Adelina Patti. She was a soprano, which is a type of opera singer. She sang there in the mid-1800s.
- Another well-known artist was the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. She was a very famous dancer.
Experts like Emilio Pasarell and Antonia Saez have said that many important moments in Puerto Rico's music history happened at Teatro Tapia. It truly has a rich past.
History of Teatro Tapia
The theater was first called the San Juan Municipal Theater. In 1935, its name was changed to the Antonio Paoli Theater. Then, in 1937, it was officially renamed the Teatro Alejandro Tapia y Rivera. This is the name it still has today.
During the 1940s, the theater was not well cared for. It was almost torn down! But the mayor of San Juan at that time, Felisa Rincón de Gautier, saved it. She made sure it was restored in the late 1940s.
Since then, the theater has been used for many different cultural events. These include musical theater, drama, and ballet shows. It can hold up to 647 people. The inside of the audience hall is very beautiful. It shows the style of the 19th century. The theater has been restored two more times, in 1976 and 1997. These updates helped it keep its old charm and beauty.
