Coliseo of Havana

El Coliseo of Havana
Map
General information
TypeTheatre
Town or cityHavana
CountryCuba
Coordinates23°08′02″N 82°20′52″W / 23.1338499°N 82.3477622°W / 23.1338499; -82.3477622
Opened1775
Technical details
Structural systemLoad bearing
MaterialMasonry, wood
GroundsLa Alameda de Paula, Havana
Design and construction
Architect(s)Antonio Fernández de Trebejos y Zaldívar
Known forFirst Havana theatre

The Coliseo of Havana was the first theatre built in Havana, constructed on January 20, 1775. It was built near the Alameda de Paula between Calles Acosta, Oficios, and Luz, in Old Havana.[1]

Coliseo of Havana, architectural drawing, building plans
Partial 1853 Havana map_Coliseo of Havana

The theatre was the site of the first ever opera performed in Havana. The opera was Didone abbandonata, a work that featured a libretto by Pietro Metastasio.[1]

The building had 4 stories of box seating, it contained seating on the ground floor, a stage, and services.[1]

Coliseum was in poor condition and closed in 1788. A repair was carried out on it and, later, in 1803, it reopened its doors under the name El Principal. The theatre continued popularity until it was heavily damaged by a cyclone in 1846. However, there was a general repair project in 1847. In an 1853 map of Havana, the 'Teatro Principal' is shown as "destruído".[1]

  1. ^ a b c d "Teatro Coliseo, primer teatro de La Habana". Retrieved 2022-03-09.