Located on one of the busiest avenues in the eastern side of Santiago de Chile, Teatro Municipal de Las Condes occupies a prominent place in the Chilean artistic programming. With shows that address family musicals, plays by established directors and scriptwriters, concerts of popular and classical music and even new opera creations such as the recent premiere of Patagonia, the theater today also seeks to become a space for audience development. and artistic mediation. We spoke with Constance Harvey, the brand new director of the Teatro Municipal de las Condes who today joins the Ópera Latinoamérica network.

 

In 2010, Chile celebrated its bicentennial as a nation and commemorations in the world of culture were prepared to pay tribute to the artistic creation made in the country. Theater festivals, concerts, book reissues, special programming in movie theaters and a long string of events joined the celebrations of the 200 years since independence.

 

One of the events that attracted attention was the programming – “exhumation” would say the Chilean musician, régisseur, musical director and lyrical chronicler Gonzalo Cuadra – of the opera Inés de Suárez, composed in 1940 by the Italian Elio Piatelli. The opera, Cuadra points out in his book Ópera Nacional. Así la llamaron. 1898 – 1950 (Ediciones UAH, 2019), places its story in the period of the Spanish conquest in Chile and is based on fragments of the life of someone who was a companion of the conqueror Pedro de Valdivia. It was originally premiered in 1941 at the Municipal Theater of Santiago, but the original score was lost and only an adaptation for singing and accompanying pianist was preserved.

 

Returning to the celebrations of Chile’s national bicentennial, 70 years had to pass since the premiere of Inés de Suárez for the opera to return to the stage, this time that of the Municipal Theater of Las Condes. In 2010, the Chilean composer Andrés Maupoint took the canto-piano reduction of the opera and decided to orchestrate it, thus delivering a ‘Chilean’ opera, in partial edition with scenes from the first and fourth acts, to commemorate the dates.

 

 

With the (re)premiere of the abbreviated version Inés de Suárez, the Teatro Municipal de Las Condes, one of the most recent spaces to join the Ópera Latinoamérica network, marked a highlight in its artistic career. Inaugurated that same year 2010, the theater has provided other opportunities for lyrical programming, including productions of repertoire operas such as Gianni Schicchi or new Latin American creations such as the recent case of the premiere of Patagonia in Santiago.

 

“There are few Chilean theaters with the space characteristics for lyrical programming, so the link with other neighboring or Latin American countries is essential. This gives us the opportunity to establish alliances and collaborations with theaters that share a common language, allowing an enriching exchange of knowledge, experiences and perspectives,” explains Constance Harvey, cultural manager and recently appointed director of the Las Condes Municipal Theater.

 

 

In this interview, Constance addresses the theater’s new projects and objectives, which include the formalization of training and participation programs “where it engages directly with the community of students in the commune to foster appreciation of the performing arts.”

Why did the Las Condes Municipal Theater decide to join Ópera Latinoamérica?

 

There are few Chilean theaters with the space characteristics for lyrical programming, so the link with other neighboring or Latin American countries is essential. This gives us the opportunity to establish alliances and collaborations with theaters that share a common language, allowing an enriching exchange of knowledge, experiences and perspectives, which in turn contributes to strengthening and promoting the cultural diversity of the region. As network theaters, we can share our successes and challenges, as well as exchange ideas and good practices in the production and promotion of lyrical shows. This collaboration can generate an environment of support and mentoring between institutions, promoting continuous improvement and innovation in the field of performing arts.

 

The TMLC has a technical and architectural infrastructure that supports lyrical scenic production, we have the potential to be active actors in the creation, presentation and premiere of works, which in turn contributes to the continuous development of Ibero-American performing arts.

What place does this space have in the cultural life of Santiago and in the general artistic panorama of Chile? Where is the theater projected?

 

The Municipal Theater of Las Condes occupies a fundamental place in the cultural life of Santiago and plays a prominent role in the artistic panorama of Chile. Its constant activity with more than 200 performances a year underlines its relevance and contribution to the cultural enrichment of the city. With an impressive level of room occupancy close to 90%, the theater is positioned as a space of great influence in capital life.

 

However, its importance is not limited only to its presentation schedule. Theater is evolving in its scope and purpose. In addition to its artistic season, we are formalizing training and participation programs, where it engages directly with the community of students in the commune to foster appreciation of the performing arts. The theater is expanding its reach by opening up to new participatory activities, with initiatives to open spaces for observing productions and rehearsals, which provides an internal and participatory vision in the production chain of a work, from its conception to your final presentation.

 

 

This expansion of focus towards the creative and production processes demonstrates a clear vision towards the diversification and democratization of the theatrical experience. This participatory approach not only consolidates its current importance in the cultural life of Santiago, but also allows it to look to the future as a beacon of innovation and collaboration in the Chilean artistic scene.

 

How do you approach the different audiences in the community? Do you have specific training, education, dissemination, mediation, etc. projects?

 

In its search to be a space for audience training, the theater has incorporated programs and mediation instances that are formally integrated into its programming. This initiative and others of inclusive and diversified approach to the different audiences of the community, seek to enrich the experience of attendees by providing contexts, information and tools that allow a greater appreciation of the works.

 

Mediation may include previous talks, meetings with artists, workshops, conversations and other special activities for students that enrich their connection with the work. It is relevant to highlight that the focus on training, education and mediation contributes to the formation of critical and committed audiences, who understand and value art in its broader context. These efforts not only consolidate the Las Condes Municipal Theater as a cultural center of reference, but also reaffirm its role as a space for meeting and participation in the community.

 

 

How is the lyrical programming of the Las Condes Municipal Theater projected for 2023? What productions or lyrical activities can you highlight?

 

We are in the planning and development stage of lyrical programming for 2024. Since lyrical productions involve artists and professionals whose agendas are usually full for one or two years in advance, the theater is focused on ensuring careful selection. We are working on a thoughtful and committed approach to the artistic storytelling of our country. This planning will not only involve the musical creation, but also the conception and execution of the entire staging.

 

 

As a theater we are looking to work with outstanding Chilean artists, this reinforces our commitment to the local artistic community and our desire to offer productions of high quality and meaning. Although we have not revealed the specific details of the work, the planning preview promises exciting news in the near future regarding an artistic panorama that reflects the identity and history of Chile.