Albisu Theatre Explained

Albisu Theatre
Native Name:	Teatro Albisu
Location:	Havana, Cuba
Coordinates:	23.1372°N -82.3578°W
Opened:	December 17, 1870
Demolished:	1916

The Albisu Theatre, also known as Teatro Albisu was a Spanish opera house and one of the main stages in Havana, Cuba.^[1]

History

On December 17, 1870, Teatro Albisu opened its doors as a Spanish opera venue.^[2] The structure was named after José Albisu, the Spaniard who funded it.^[3]

The elegant hall's modest design accommodated 1,600 seats on the lower level and 800 more on the balcony.

In 1882, the theatre had installed an electric lighting system by the Edison Electric Light Company.^[4]

The building of Albisu Theatre was purchased for $300,000 by the Asturianos Club of Havana which used the upper part of the edifice as their Centro Asturiano clubhouse. $100,000 was spent on restoring the theatre.^[5]

When the original Albisu Theatre building burned down around 1916, it was entirely rebuilt and changed to the Campoamor Theatre.^[6]

Notes and References

1. Manuel Areu Collection of Nineteenth-Century Zarzuelas (MSS 516), Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections, University of New Mexico Libraries.
2. Fernández, D. (2022). Así se vendió la moda: publicidad del consumo-moda en la prensa escrita : La Habana 1840-1960. Spain: Editorial Verbum.
3. Web site: Teatro Albisu y el esplendor de la zarzuela en Cuba. cubanet.org. 2024-05-28.
4. Bulletin. (1882). United States: Edison Electric Light Company.
5. Bulletin of the Pan American Union, Volume 39. (1914). United States: The Union.
6. The Cuba Review and Bulletin. (1919). United States: Munson Steamship Line.