Reopening of Ernesto Lecuona Lyric Theater Company’s Old Mansion in Pinar del Río, Cuba

On the night of last Saturday, culture in Pinar del Río experienced, without a doubt, another of its most important moments, when the old mansion that had housed the Ernesto Lecuona lyric theater company, the first to be created, was reopened. within its genre, throughout the country.

It was exciting to see this reopening in which it was possible to recreate the epochal atmosphere, not only with the spacious and austere living spaces, but with all the decoration and furniture, and even with the live models that circulated through the corridors from one side to the other with background music that completed that atmosphere so full of history and tradition.

With a preferential location in the city circuit (163-165 Maceo Street, corner of Abraham Pérez) the building is impressive due to its solid and sober façade. Approaching her is like the omen of a stay of calm and peace.

In its indisputable condition as the headquarters of this group that makes any lover of Pinar del Río proud of their vueltabajero terroir, the property has undergone a truly rigorous capital repair, thanks to the joint effort of authorities and workers, who with this recognize the work of an artistic collective that has become already a symbol of the most refined aesthetic taste of the westernmost Cuban province.

In conversation with its general director, the admired and persevering maestro Francisco Alonso, we learned that what happened that night constitutes the beginning of the final stage of a whole long jubilee day, which precisely began in January for the 60th anniversary of the foundation of this company.

The creation of a Teaching Artistic Unit has strengthened daily work and above all is a guarantee of continuity and the future in the training of new generations of artists so that the lyrical genre enjoys a long life. The fact is valued as an unquestionable reference at the national level.

A tour of the facility, following the path opened by the First Secretary of the Party in the province, together with the Governor and the Minister of Culture, introduced us to the Rodrigo Prats concert and rehearsal hall, the documentation and information center, the audiovisuals, classrooms, the ballet and dance floor, the inner courtyard with its flexible stage for shows and the other service and management areas. Truly, a jewel destined for enjoyment and spiritual enrichment, in which no detail escaped.

We were also honored with their presence by other members of the National Council for the Performing Arts, among them the prominent actress Corina Mestre, who repeatedly expressed her satisfaction with what she had observed, and the popular comedian Kike Quiñones.

For this very special occasion, a show called They call us Cubawhich in a certain way summarizes the repertoire that during these decades has identified the stagings offered, from those that properly pay tribute to the lyrical to the proposals of the most recent years in which the conception has been made more flexible and updated.

Titles as recognized as the contradanza de Cecilia Valdes; sing nightingaleof Mary The O; slave songof the coffee plantation; the romance of Julio Alonso, and on the other string It depends on you, Us, Pale Flower y I am the Cuban point. Special mention for the formidable declamation of the poem Haveby Nicolás Guillén, executed by Yariel Sierra.

We discussed with some executives and specialists that it could be considered as the permanent but renewed letter of introduction that which dossier could work for the company, since there will be events and occasions that, due to their official level, will demand it.

Now it is time to reflect, with sagacity and intelligence, on the use strategy that this facility will have, which can play a key role in raising the general culture of the people of Pinar del Río. Escape from the elitist, but avoid vulgarization. Seek and find the golden mean: that should be the philosophy that guides each decision, from the very programming of each month.

I think that characterized spaces will be established by days of the week so that a potential audience can join each one according to their interests and preferences. Inquiring into the issue of schedules according to the nature of the cultural activity is another study that is imminent with the aim that aberrations do not proliferate in day-to-day activities. Combining the didactic and the merely artistic is the climax.

To Caesar what is Caesar’s: to “the house” what is hers.

With text from: Msc Luis Perez Gonzalez