The  Guimerá Theatre, previously called “Teatro Municipal” or “Santa Cruz de Tenerife´s Principal”, is the oldest theatre in the Canary Islands, more than 150 years of history. It was built by the Ayuntamiento de la Villa – Town Council – (until 1859 the town was not known as the city of Santa Cruz) being the capital of the Canary Islands, and owes its name to a famous local poet and dramatist Angel Guimerá.

Santa Cruz has always been involved with music and theatre even before this theatre was built. During the 18^th Century the Port of Santa Cruz provided a space especially for theatrical presentations although the exact whereabouts of this place is not known.

Since the successful opening of the Theatre, in 1851, the city of Santa Cruz has relied upon a unique space that promotes and enriches the cultural offer of the island.

An interesting reference to the enormous interest that there has always been towards the theatre in Santa Cruz, one only needs to read a fragment of an article written and published during the 1860 season which says: “ We don’t know if the people of Santa Cruz eat, but for sure they never miss a theatrical production”     

After the refurbishment of 1914 the theatre was reopened on the 2^nd February 1914 with the production with the first Italian Comic Opera and Operetta Company of Amadeo Granieri. Over the years and due to the decoration of gold paint, velvets and allegoric frescos, the theatre became known as “La Bombonera” (the chocolate box).

The theatre habitually accommodates the International Canary Music Festival, one of the most important winter festivals of classical music in Europe as well as a high class opera season of great tradition. We have seen in the theatre the greatest orchestral directors, the best orchestras and soloists in the world not to mention the world of international theatre and dance including all types of scenic setups. In 1994 it underwent a total refurbishment converting it into an up-to-date theatre installing the best possible infrastructure.

The Guimerá has a fantastic and highly praised acoustic which favours the realization of all types of recordings especially with an orchestra. It has a scenic area which accommodates easily a full size symphony orchestra and choir. Also there is a control cabin where one can install and set up any sort of technical equipment necessary from where the sound engineers and musical producer can undertake and control the recording session.

The Guimerá Theatre, situated in the heart of the capital, Santa Cruz, is the home of the Tenerife Film Orchestra.  The theatre can seat 800 people and is considered to be one of the most beautiful classic theatres in the whole of Spain.

Some pictures of the Guimerá Theatre:

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