The construction of the Grand Théâtre was not without its pitfalls. Although excavation work began in 1966, it was not until January 1971 that it opened to the public. When the Barrette Administration halted construction for more than a year, it seriously affected the original Confederation centenary deadline. The Union Nationale party was opposed to several projects seeking to modernize the province at the time.

1958 - 2016

The Grand Théâtre de Québec, a legacy of the Quiet Revolution

The Grand Théâtre de Québec was supposed to be built in time to mark the centenary of Canadian Confederation in 1967. After various ups and downs, the theatre was inaugurated on January 16, 1971, near Parliament Hill. The theatre was created to provide Québec City with a large-scale cultural complex. It includes the Octave-Crémazie (500 seats) and Louis-Fréchette (1,800 seats) performance halls, as well as the Conservatoire de Musique. A famous phrase by poet Claude Péloquin is written on the mural inside the Grand Théâtre. Over the years, the Grand Théâtre’s stages have welcomed a host of artists and groups.

Retreating into the past or opening up to the future?

Auteur inconnu The construction of the Grand Théâtre was not without its pitfalls. Although excavation work began in 1966, it was not until January 1971 that it opened to the public. When the Barrette Administration halted construction for more than a year, it seriously affected the original Confederation centenary deadline. The Union Nationale party was opposed to several projects seeking to modernize the province at the time.

Chronoscope Can you classify this photo in one or more archival categories? (unilingual French for a limited time)

Depicted period: 2016

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