Teatro de Verano
The amphitheater in 2024 | |
Interactive map of Teatro de Verano Ramón Collazo | |
| Address | Rambla Presidente Wilson |
|---|---|
| Location | Montevideo, Uruguay. |
| Owner | Intendancy of Montevideo |
| Capacity | 5,000 |
| Type | Amphitheater |
| Events |
|
| Construction | |
| Opened | January 15, 1944 |
| Website | |
| teatrodeverano.montevideo.gub.uy | |
The Teatro de Verano (English: Summer Theatre), officially known as Teatro de Verano Ramón Collazo is an open-air amphitheatre in the Parque Rodó neighbourhood of Montevideo, Uruguay. It was inaugurated in January 1944 and has a seating capacity of approximately 5,000. The venue serves as the principal stage for the artistic and theatrical performances of the Montevideo Carnival.[1]
History
The site currently occupied by the Teatro de Verano Ramón Collazo was originally a quarry property owned in the early 20th-century by businessman Francisco Piria. At the time, the grounds were used for the installation of circus tents hosting various performances and public spectacles.[2]
During the administration of Montevideo Intendant Juan Pedro Fabini (1943–1947), a long-standing proposal to construct an open-air venue in the Parque Rodó quarry area was approved.[3] The project, initially named Teatro Municipal de Verano, was carried out during the second half of 1943.[4] Although the inauguration had been scheduled for 8 January 1944, it was postponed until 15 January due to a severe storm that affected the city that week.[5] The opening performance was presented by the Original Ballet Russe, which travelled to Montevideo for the occasion.[6]
During its early years, the stage was not covered, and wooden seats were installed temporarily prior to each performance. The surrounding trees and vegetation remained integrated into the natural landscape of the venue.[7] In 1945, the theatre hosted its first Carnival event, featuring the winners of the Official Competition of carnival groups, and in 1971 it was designated the official venue of the Montevideo Carnival, hosting all rounds of the competition since then, including performances by murgas, parody troupes, and revue companies.[8]
In 1962, an artistic cone designed by Julio Giacosa for the pavilions of the National Exhibition at the Cilindro Municipal was installed above the stage.[9] It remained in place until 2006, when it was replaced by a ceramic vault designed by architect Carlos Pascual, employing the reinforced brick technique developed by engineer Eladio Dieste.[10] Unlike the earlier structure, the new vault follows a catenary curve rather than a circular form.
In January 1986, the theatre was officially renamed in honour of actor and Carnival performer Ramón Collazo, six years after his death.[11] In the mid-1980s, it also became an important venue for Uruguayan rock music, hosting performances by numerous local bands.[12] Between 2023 and 2024, the theatre underwent renovations, including the refurbishment and addition of seating, upgrades to the lighting system, and the expansion of parking facilities.[13]
References
- ^ Hernández, Rodrigo (2023-06-26). "Un templo en refacción". Sala de Redacción, Facultad de Informacion y Comunicación.
- ^ "Teatro a cielo abierto | Centro de Fotografía de Montevideo". cdf.montevideo.gub.uy. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "80 años del Teatro de Verano: la historia de un templo de muchos dioses para la cultura uruguaya". El Observador (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "80 años del Teatro de Verano". Teatro de Verano (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "El Teatro de Verano celebra 80 años con cara nueva y un espectáculo gratuito". la diaria (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "Teatro de Verano festejará sus 80 años con un gran espectáculo | Municipio B". municipiob.montevideo.gub.uy. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "A 80 años del Teatro de Verano". Montevideo Portal (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ Guerra, Rodrigo (2024-01-14). "La historia del Teatro de Verano, el escenario que tuvo varias vidas, guardó noches históricas y cumple 80 años". EL PAIS (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "El Teatro de Verano cambia de cara: las remodelaciones que lo dejarán "como nuevo" para sus 80 años". El Observador (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "Será remodelado el emblemático Teatro de Verano del Parque Rodó". LARED21 (in Spanish). 2006-08-01. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "El libro que recopila los 80 años de historia del Teatro Ramón Collazo – Semanario Montevideo al día" (in Spanish). 2025-01-30. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "Crónica de un concierto memorable en el Teatro de Verano". Búsqueda (in Spanish). 2025-12-04. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "Obras en Teatro de Verano | Portal institucional". montevideo.gub.uy. Retrieved 2026-03-05.