Let the Music Play at the Sao Paulo Theatro Municipal!

The Sao Paulo Theatro Municipal is one of the most important theatres in all of Brazil, not to mention South America, and it has been a landmark of the city of Sao Paulo for over a century. Its conception was brought about at the beginning of the 20th century, when only people of the higher classes could afford to spend time at the theatre – but this also meant that the building was constructed to be architecturally stunning and to last for all times.

The engineer who designed the Theatro was Ramos de Azevedo, and he was assisted by two renowned Italian architects. The majority of the materials were imported from Europe, while the design was certainly inspired by classical motifs and techniques – as a result, construction on the building lasted nearly 8 years! However, the first production came on the opening night of September 12th, 1911, when the opera ‘Hamlet’ skyrocketed the theatre’s popularity into the highest ends of Paulistana society.

During those early years, the Sao Paulo Theatro Municipal conducted 270 performances, and it was in 1922 that the defining event of the theatre’s history came about: the 1922 Week of Modern Art. This was a week-long presentation of music, lectures, and poetry, and many of the artists showcased here would go on to become world-famous artists and composers, all citing the Week of Modern Art at the Theatro Municipal as the place they felt their careers truly took off.

Although the Sao Paulo Theatro Municipal has gone through several refurbishing efforts, the external façade has been carefully maintained to ensure that the original design remains as a testament to the theatre’s historic value. Theatre productions such as plays and operas are still performed here, and each season brings a new array of shows produced by some of the world’s greatest writers and composers. Should you like to learn more about the theatre’s history, the Sao Paulo City Hall even has its own small museum devoted to the theatre’s place in the city throughout the past century. This museum is open from 9am until 5pm, Tuesday through Sunday.

When visiting Sao Paulo, be sure to schedule in an evening performance sometime during your stay! Tickets can be purchased from the box office, and it is a good idea to call well in advance of the production – tickets for popular shows can sell out quickly! The Sao Paulo Theatro Municipal is a living piece of Brazilian history, and is certainly not to be missed by anyone who holds an appreciation for music, theatre, or the visual arts.

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