Gesù
One of the oldest concert halls in Montreal, the Gesù opened its doors on July 10, 1865. At the time, the nearly 1,200-seat amphitheatre, with its revolving stage and orchestra pit, served primarily as an academic hall for Collège Sainte-Marie, an educational institute founded by the Jesuits. In the 20th century, the building, which was opened to the general public in 1923, contributed to the development of Quebec theater and presented a number of major productions. In 1975, it was classified as a “historic monument” and “cultural property”. Since its renovation in 1992, the Gesù has had two theaters and two exhibition halls. This center of creativity, which has contributed so much to the development of the arts in Quebec, still has a bright future.