Teatro Nacional Eduardo Brito
The Dominican national theatre in the Plaza de la Cultura, with four halls for opera, dance and concerts.
The national theatre was designed in 1970 by the Dominican architect Teofilo Carbonell and opened on 16 August 1973 as part of the Plaza de la Cultura, a government cultural precinct in the Gazcue district that also holds the country's main museums and national library. Carbonell looked to the Metropolitan Opera House in New York for the plan while using Dominican marble, mahogany and onyx throughout. In 2006 the building was renamed by presidential decree after the baritone Eduardo Brito.
There are four performance spaces. The Sala Carlos Piantini is the main auditorium, seating around 1,700, and is home to the National Symphony Orchestra as well as opera, ballet and large concerts. The smaller Sala Jose de Jesus Ravelo is used for drama, the Sala Aida Bonnelly de Diaz for chamber music and recitals, and the Cafe Teatro Juan Lockward for cabaret and readings. The theatre hosts the biennial Santo Domingo Music Festival, founded in 1997.
Highlights
- Sala Carlos Piantini, the 1,700-seat main auditorium
- Three smaller halls for drama, chamber music and cabaret
- Marble, mahogany and onyx finishes by architect Teofilo Carbonell
- Home stage of the Dominican National Symphony Orchestra
