Opera in Chile is one of the most popular forms of performing arts. Most of the opera companies in Chile are located in the capital city of Santiago. Along with traditional forms of opera, Chile also has incorporated the modern contemporary forms like the ballet opera.
The Teatro Municipal is one of the famous opera houses in Chile, Santiago. This majestic opera house with all its grandeur organizes different kinds of operas, frequent ballets and also classical music concerts. This opera theater opened its doors to the public on September 17, 1857. It has a permanent chorus, a ballet company and orchestra. The modern studios and workshops inside the opera house facilitate all kinds of productions. The interiors of this grand 1,500 seater opera house is tastefully decorated with shades or red and gold, emanating the warmth.
Chile opera has a huge audience. The opera performances in Chile are presented in their original languages. The operas are generally performed in Czech, German and English languages. The modern day opera also uses subtitles, appeal to a huge audience. There are at least 15 to 20 companies producing opera in Chile, including the University of Chile and the Catholic University Theaters. These operas of Chile stage traditional Shakespearean plays with contemporary pieces. Some of the best works of the Chilean Nobel Laureate, Pablo Neruda has been translated into unique ballet opera.
There are also many opera houses in Vina del Mar a city close to Valparaiso. Temuco in the southern part of Chile has some opera houses. There are also many theaters in the central city of Talca and in Punta Arenas in the Chilean Patagonia.
The traditional Chile opera and the modern ballet opera continues to be a source of entertainment and amusement for the Chileans.
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