This scenic space has a particular significance for the emergence of the modern theatre in Colombia. It was here where Bernardo Romero Lozano promoted the creation of the Escuela Nacional de Arte Dramático (National School of Dramatic Arts). Victor Mallarino was among the Spanish teachers that were invited then. He was a notable reciter and actor, and a prominent figure in the formation of this school, where the first actors educated in Colombia emerged, many of whom have contributed to the history of the national theatre.
Curtain of Gatti
The making of stage curtain was already considered in the contract signed by the government and Antonio Faccini. It was intended to cover the stage during the biggest inaugural functions or during special acts before the commencement of the program, therefore, it was thought it had to be a great work of art.
Florentine artist Annibale Gatti was entrusted with the making of the curtain. It was precisely in Florence where he decided to make his work that was 8.75 metres high and 11.35 wide. The work was completed in 1890 and the curtain was officially hung up on 22 February 1891.[3]
As for the pictures on the curtain, the president Nuñez was inclined for them to portray opera characters. He ordered his commissioners Alejandro Posada, Roberto Suárez, Pietro Cantini and Antonio Faccini to do so. However, Gatti decided to portray the curiosity that people of the town could feel about the construction of the theatre and the lyrical performances at that time. Based on the information provided by the commissioners, he depicted three groups of farmers; men wearing "ruanas" (a type of poncho) and hats, and women wearing white shirts and long skirts. The farmers seemed curious and shared the stage with other 36 characters from different operas such as Romeo and Juliet (Gounod), Otello(Verdi), El Barbero de Sevilla (Rossini), Don Giovanni (Mozart), Ruy Blas (Marchetti), among others.[8]
The first group of farmers was placed on the right, and consisted of five people that paid attention to the explanation of a woman regarding some plans (apparently the facade of the theatre). What is really curious about this image is that the woman making the explanation is a farmer, not a person from an elite class, but a character from the same social class. A second group is located in the centre of the work, and behind the musicians another group can be seen watching the different lyrical characters who are dressed with stunning clothing and jewellery. The idea of Gatti of including rural characters can be interpreted as the need to integrate two worlds, one that is more developed than the other.
President Nuñez showed his disagreement when he saw the draft and sent a letter to the commissioners asking for the figures of farmers to be replaced for more decorative ones. Finally Gatti painted the curtain with the required guidelines, the farmers that had been painted on the right side were replaced by a dance group, the centre and the left ones were also removed and replaced by muses of poetry and music, and an orchestra with ancient instruments was placed in the background.