Source: Photograph (2010) by WTL© in Cienfuegos, Cuba.
Comments: This theater, built at the end of the 19th century (1887-1889) is one of the most magnificent in Latin America. It was built in honor of a Cuban magnate, Tomás Terry, who was born in Venezuela and died in Cuba in 1886. He started his fortune by buying and selling slaves. He then diversified into many commercial ventures, from sugar mills to banking to import-export. He was known as the "Cuban Croesus" (find a reference to, Croesus, a major cultural reference). In fact, at his death he was one of the richest men in the world.
The building's exterior is essentially Italian Neoclassical, a style chosen in large measure to reflect the world-wide influence of late 19th century Italian opera. For example, the inaugural event was Verdi's grand opera Aïda in 1895. The auditorium features (Italian) Carrara marble, Cuban woodwork, and Italianate frescoes on the ceiling. Among some of the many architectural features are the colonnade of five Neoclassical Roman arches forming the exterior of the portico on the ground level; the four full pilasters and two half pilasters framing the windows on the second floor, and, at the apex, the three frescoes symbolizing some of the performing arts.
Humanities topic: Write a brief statement in which you consider the importance or cultural function of this performing arts hall in this provincial city at the end of the 19th century and just before the definitive War of (Cuban) Independence.