The National Theater
The National Theater in downtown San Jose is perhaps the greatest source of national pride for Ticos. The ornate playhouse was built in 1897 when upper-class Costa Ricans wanted to transform the capital from a sleepy town of 17000 people into a stop on the world opera circuit. A tax was levied, passing the cost on to all Tico citizens, involving the entire country in the process, who in turns till feel a sense of ownership in the leather.
The excellent acoustics and intimate feel draw performers and spectators from around the world. Works presented are diverse and stimulating without the arrogant, stuffy big-theater feel. For most performances, t-shirts and tennis shoes are acceptable.
Even during the day when there are no performances, the museum-like National Theater is great to visit. Here are some examples of what to see.
Vestibule
The Vestibule of the Baroque theater has copious amounts of Carrara marble floor along with bronze trim and ample use of 22.5 carat gold overlay. Italian sculptor Pietro Bulgarelli’s statues of the muses inhabit the lobby.
The Allegory of Coffee and Bananas
This may be Costa Rica’s most famous mural, gracing the back of the 5-colon banknote. This gigantic work by Italian J. Vila captures the essence of Costa Rican rural life at the turn of the 20th century. The painter wasn’t completely familiar with life in the tropics, however, evidenced by the strangle way in which the man holds the bunch of bananas.
Additionally, coffee grows above 800 meters and hot at sea level, as the painting suggests, among other things. These errors, however, don’t diffract from the message or beauty of the painting, which easily conveys how Costa Rica felt in 1987.
The Second Floor
The wood floor is a masterpiece of integrated design. Relaxed and stunning, the floor provoked one visiting dignitary to comment that “a red, pink, blanch, and golden floor where all the country’s woods are laid” was incredible indeed. The chandelier’s bases were painted to present the different moments of the day: find sunrise, noon and night. Engraved into the wood are the national and provincial seals.
Coffee Shop
The coffee shop adjoining the lobby is a wonderful place to sit and watch the world go by. Open since 1976, the coffee shop is an elegant blend of safety old-world theater and modern gathering place, producing an ideal ambience to sit and write post cards, work on your latest novel, or simply enjoy great coffee and a chat in one of San Jose’s more elegant environs.
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