Teatro Cervantes
The historical theater of Málaga tells us its story
There is a small but fine selection of famous theater stages at the Costa del Sol offering a perfect program for the young and the young at heart. One of them is the Teatro Cervantes in the metropolis Málaga. As host of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Málaga, the theater is one of the region’s most popular venues.
The historic building is located in the inner city, close to the famous Cathedral of Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica de la Encarnación. A first look at the theater’s front doesn’t reveal too much – a magnificent gray-and-white sandstone building having its name on the front written in capital letters – and arouses curiosity about the building’s inner life.
Like so many places in Málaga, the Teatro Cervantes has a long history to tell. It all started in the second half of the 19th century; the theater was almost completely destroyed after a fire. However, since a theater was a necessary part of a city’s prestige, its reconstruction started quickly. The main representatives of the reconstruction – the city architect Gerónimo Cuervo and two painters, Bernardo Ferrándiz and Muñoz Degrain - quickly created a concept of architectural and artistic refinement. Probably the theater’s greatest work of art can be admired today on the ceiling inside, where the painters captured scenic, industrial, economic and geographic features of Málaga - like an allegory of the city.
On December 17, 1870, the newly-finished theater had its ceremonial reopening with Gioachino Rossini's opera "Wilhelm Tell". Since 1984, the theater is owned by the city of Málaga and since then it has been ensuring the maintenance of the historic building.
Teatro Cervantes with a finale capacity of 1,171 spectators, has been operating for over a quarter century today and hosts events of all styles: symphonies, classical dramas, comedies, operas, ballets, concerts, Jazz (for example the Málaga Jazz Festival), Flamenco, Rock, musical and also choral competitions, such as the 3rd Canta en Primavera - Festival Coral Internacional, which will enchant Málaga from April 26-30, 2017 with choral music from all over the world. Most of the competition concerts will take place at Teatro Cervantes.
Register until December 12 and sing with us at the Teatro Cervantes de Málaga!
More information about the Choir Festival Canta en Primavera can be found on the event website.
