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The Costa Rica Performance ArtsCosta Rica has been dedicating itself to supporting the Performing Arts for a long time now. A newcomer will soon discover excellent music everywhere: in the streets; the restaurants; the little theaters and especially in the concert halls. Love of fine music is in the Costa Rican blood. Costa Rica’s “official arts program” falls under the leadership of the government’s Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Youth and it’s current minister, Guido Saenz. Their website possesses overviews of the country’s premiere operatic, theatrical, dance and orchestral companies, as well a listing of some events. It’s a kind of network of governmental sponsored groups, covering every area of the arts, as well as programming outside performers from from the art capitols of the rest of the world. Although such companies are funded by the government, the quality doesn’t seem to suffer. Performing over 60 concerts a year, the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional has received world acclaim under the direction of its current conductor, Chosei Komatsu, and is considered one of the major orchestras of Latin America. The Compañía Lírica Nacional (Opera) in Costa Rica has been very successful in the past with sold-out performances in 2005 of Madama Butterfly and La Traviata. The casts include both international and local artists. However, there is room for growth and expansion of scope. The Compañía Nacional de Teatro (Theater) holds a week-long festival every November, presenting winning theater works from around the country. As well as sponsor the “big 3” mentioned above, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Youth holds an International Festival of the Arts every year and develops young Costa Rican artist at the Instituto Nacional De Música in San Jose’s suburb of Moravia. This conservatory was established for the country’s gifted youth and hosts the finest instructors from foreign countries. Most schedules and affordable tickets to performances such as these and other international artists events, including touring companies, are available at the historic El Teatro Nacional (The National Theater) and Teatro Melico Salazar, both located in the center of San José. One may also easily purchase tickets on-line. There are also privately funded concerts and festivals in Costa Rica and when it comes to classical music, it is hard to ignore the impressive Festival de la Música Credomatic, usually held in July and August. In what amounts to a musical extraveganza, around 65 artists are presented in 40 concerts open to the public in diverse scenes of beauty around the country. Artists are gathered from Europa, Asia, North and South America. For classical music at its “grassroots”, there are the Teatro Mozart in the south-east part of San Jose, and the Costa Rican and North American Cultural Center. It is also possible sometimes possible to get on the invitation list for private chamber music concerts at Casa Holanda, just outside of Heredia. If this wouldn’t be enough for such a small country (for this article doesn’t even touch upon Costa Rica’s exciting pop music scene), unfunded theater and classical music are thriving very well in Costa Rica, “thank you very much.” Lucho Barahona and teatro Torres provide more commercial (sometimes verging on burlesque), small-scale productions. The Little Theater Group is Costa Rica's oldest English-speaking theatrical troupe and produces two to three plays a year. To find announcements or schedules of such events as these, it is best to go to one of the organizations’ links below or simply pick up a copy of one of the country leading newspapers such as, La Naciòn, The Tico Times (English), or Al Día, all available at almost any corner store. For those with a more “hip” bent, there are sizzling nightspots where the public can catch a glimpse of up-and-coming local talent : Jazz Café in San Pedro; El Observatorio and Meridiano al Este in the Barrio La California; and Balcony Jazz Club & Café in Escazú to name the most well-known. So you see, although Costa Rica may not have a “national” music per se. Music and creativity thrives in this tropical country of sea, forest, and mountains. The National Theater (Schedule, Tickets, Information) Costa Rican Department of Culture and Youth and their schedules Casa Holanda, www.casaholanda.com, (Invitation only -- but not exclusive --- classical music concerts) Entretenimiento (Information, performance schedules of Café and Promotions on Concerts) El Centro Cultural Costarricense-Norteamericano An innkeeper's dream of an international music festival in Costa Rica... Return to main Costa Rica Art Page for: Painting, Sculpture, Prints, Ceramics, Glass, Jewelry, Mixed Media Mosaic, Metal, Drawings View a Typical Art Adventure Tour Itinerary with Works of Art Make your Art Adventure Reservations Now |
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