After 15 years closed, the Teatro Municipal de Villarrica reopened its doors this weekend with the artistic gala "Renace el Teatro," marking the return of one of the country's main cultural venues in the interior. Anticipation for the reopening was evident even before the performances began: according to the city's Culture Department, all available seats were reserved days before the first show.
The special program features four free performances, with showtimes on Friday at 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., and on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Admission is free, but the venue's limited capacity required advance seat reservations. The theater has recently been refurbished and equipped to once again host large-scale productions.
The gala brings together local and national artists and ensembles, with highlights including the participation of the Orquesta Sinfónica del Congreso Nacional (OSIC), under the baton of maestro Diego Sánchez Haase, and the Coro Sensus Aeternus de Villarrica, directed by Alexandre Chauffaud. The show also features guest vocalists María José Obregón, Alba Vázquez, Silvia Núñez, and Laura Duarte, as well as the Villarrica Dance Delegation and the Municipal Theater Ensemble.
The building had remained closed since 2011, when the curtain fell for the last time before the launch of a restoration project that suffered successive interruptions and changes across different municipal and national administrations. Over the years, artists, cultural managers, and citizens made numerous appeals demanding the completion of the works and the recovery of a space considered a symbol of the city's cultural identity.
The final stage of the restoration was only completed this year, after work was reactivated and funding from the Cooperação Internacional de Taiwán was released, supplemented by municipal funds. The works included the installation of new seating, lighting and sound systems, climate control, acoustic improvements, and safety upgrades, restoring the conditions necessary for hosting large-format productions.