Over a century of theatrical treasures awaits you. Welcome to the Museu de les Arts Escèniques. This isn’t just a museum it’s a living archive of Catalan performing arts. Imagine stepping into a world where the whispers of past performances echo through the halls.
The Museu de les Arts Escèniques a treasure trove of history opened its doors in 1923. Theatre and music critic Marc Jesú Bertran a visionary spearheaded its creation. He tirelessly collected objects and documents showcasing Catalonia’s rich theatrical heritage. This collection was initially housed in the Palau de les Belles Arts.
The museum’s early years were marked by growth. Its collection expanded greatly. It housed thousands of documents and manuscripts. It also held theatrical sketches photographs posters and costumes. The addition of Artur Sedó’s library in 1968 a monumental collection of over 90000 titles significantly boosted the museum’s resources. It made it one of Europe’s largest theatrical libraries. This library contained a wealth of Catalan theatre from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It also held remarkable pieces from the Spanish Golden Age.
The Museu de les Arts Escèniques has moved several times. It resided in the Casa de la Misericòrdia then the Palau Güell. Renovations at the Palau Güell led to a temporary move to the Poblenou district. The museum finally found a permanent home in 2000. It joined the Institut del Teatre at its new building on Montjuïc. This new location brought the museum its archive and the Institut’s teaching and historical libraries together under one roof.
The museum’s mission is to preserve and promote Catalan performing arts. It houses an extraordinary collection of over 500000 items. Its archives are full of treasures. They include the Aureliano Fernández Guerra collection. It also holds the collections of the Dukes of Osuna and Emilio Cotarelo Mori. The museum also holds the Pedro Salvà and Ricardo Heredia collection from 19th century Paris. These archives offer a captivating journey through time. They reveal the evolution of Catalan theatre dance music and other performing arts.
Among the museum’s highlights are its costume collection. It features garments worn by legendary performers. This includes the outfits of Margarita Xirgu Carmen Amaya and Victoria de los Ángeles. The museum’s scenography collection is equally impressive. It includes designs by renowned artists like Francesc Soler i Rovirosa and Apel·les Mestres. Their innovative designs shaped Catalan theatre for decades. The extensive puppet and marionette collection showcases the evolution of this unique art form in Catalonia.
Although the Museu de les Arts Escèniques currently lacks a permanent exhibition space the online catalogue offers access to many exhibits. Thousands of images are available online. The museum’s temporary exhibitions keep the collection vibrant and accessible.
The Museu de les Arts Escèniques isn’t just a museum. It’s a vibrant testament to the enduring power of the performing arts in Catalonia. It’s a place where history comes alive through the stories of costumes designs and manuscripts. It’s a place you should absolutely explore.