Oh, my forgotten and tremendously contradictory Valencia. Capital of the state where I have lived all my life and where I reside. Cradle of my country's Freedom, and one of the cities with the greatest diversity and opportunities in Venezuela... However, in terms of culture and its promulgation, sadly I must say that it is not at all similar to what it should be given its importance as a gigantic and important city? And yet, there it is, imposing, beautiful, historic: the Municipal Theatre of Valencia. That bourgeois piece of Napoleonic France in my city, in the middle of 2025.
The last time I had been to this beautiful place, I was in my second semester at university. I went there to be inspired by the art on its façade. With neoclassical, baroque and gothic architecture, the beauty strikes you like a bolt of lightning as you walk through the centuries-old streets of Valencia's Downtown. Let's remember that all the Spanish speaking countries in America, at some point had a close relationship with the Kingdom of Spain. That means that most of our cities were shaped from the historic Downtown outwards.
The Municipal Theatre of Valencia is in the geographical, historical, economic and social heart of the city of the same name. It is more than 100 years old since its construction in 1894, and was an express request of former president Antonio Guzmán Blanco. He was an admirer of French art. Especially of theatre, opera and the spectacle that Paris has always represented from a foreigner's point of view. For this reason, in my city we see this work that has survived dictatorships, democratic periods, revolutions and even oblivion; but it is still there... Imposing, precious, with an aura of haughtiness that is epic.
As much as the symphony orchestra that rehearses within its perimeter. Wagner, Beethoven, Chopin, Bellini, Mozart among many classical performers can be heard in its surroundings. The power of the grandeur makes your skin crawl, you know? By way of confession I must tell you that it has been a beautiful surprise to go again as a visitor on one of the free guided tours offered by the Mayor's Office of Valencia in this tourist and artistic receipt of the region. A World and National Heritage Site, the Theatre is in itself, the very representation of magnificence and the beautiful habit of loving the arts.
For a little more than an hour, I was able to tour all the facilities of the venue. From its entrances, lobby, dressing rooms, dressing rooms (general and main) to the Great Hall. Where theatrical art happens. We were exceptionally lucky to witness a brief showing of the Phantom of the Opera, live and for us (just under 100 people on the guided tour) and it was simply splendid. Perhaps in our time we have forgotten a little of the power of the performing arts and the epicness that emanates from it, but it is moving to be back, at 32 years of age, to be a luxury spectator of this beauty. I stand up and applaud ¡Viva el Teatro!