Type Historic property Capacity 2,752 Phone +506 2233 5172 | Years active 1928-present Opened 7 February 1928 | |
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Owner Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports Architect José Fabio Garnier Ugalde Address Calle Central Alfredo Volio, San José Province, San José, Costa Rica Similar National Theatre of Costa Rica, Museo de Arte Costarricense, Costa Rican Center of, Pre‑Columbian Gold Museum, Plaza de La Cultura Profiles | ||
The Melico Salazar Theatre is located in San José, Costa Rica. It maintains a full schedule of concerts, recitals, and plays.
While large and built in the European Baroque style, it is far simpler than the Parisian influenced Teatro Nacional one block east.
The land was bought by Jose Raventós, who dreamed of building a theatre in which to produce zarzuelas, usually comic) Spanish operettas. The building was designed by Jose Fabio Garnier Ugalde, dramatist and architect. Construction began 8 February 1927, and was completed 7 October 1928. The inauguration featured operattas of Esperanza Iris, the famous Mexican singer known as the Empress of Operetta.
In 1960 a new gallery was added that included a screen for cinemascope. Seven years later, in 1967, during the dawn of 23 April, a fire destroyed the room.
In the early 1970s, the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports decided that Costa Rica must buy the theater and renew it. In December 1981, a pre-inauguration occurred. Shortly afterwards, the building was closed to finish the restoration. There was a re-inauguration 6 March 1985, and 7 April the following year. "The Gaceta", the official newspaper of the government, announced law 7023 that gave the Melico Salazar the position of "cultural institution especializada" of the Costa Rican State.
Originally named the Raventós Theater, it was renamed in 1986 to honor famous Costa Rican tenor Manuel "Melico" Salazar.