Municipal Theater

You’re now standing in front of Rio’s stunning Municipal Theatre. This architectural gem might look familiar – it was modeled after the famous Palais Garnier in Paris. No wonder it’s considered one of the most beautiful and important theaters in the country. Following the proclamation of the Republic of Brazil in 1889, playwright Artur Azevedo launched a campaign to build a new theater along the lines of those found in major European cities. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t live to see his dream come true, as he passed away nine months before its inauguration. Construction began in 1909, during Rio’s big makeover, alongside the opening of the Central Avenue. The Museum of Fine Arts on your right was also built around the same time. The Municipal Theater quickly became a cornerstone of Carioca culture. At first, it mainly hosted opera and dance companies from France and Italy. But by 1930, the theater had its own artistic ensembles: a symphony orchestra, a choir and a ballet. Over the years, it has welcomed some of the greatest singers, dancers and musicians. To this day, it’s the only theater in Brazil to still have all three artistic ensembles under one roof! Take a closer look at the exterior walls – you’ll see the names of famous European and Brazilian artists. The interior is just as impressive, richly decorated with beautiful statues and paintings by the greatest Brazilian artists of the time. Many of these works are considered masterpieces of Brazilian decorative art. Today, over a century old, the Rio Municipal Theater remains one of the country’s leading cultural venues!