Theatro Municipal (Rio de Janeiro)
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One of the most beautiful buildings in downtown Rio de Janeiro, the Teatro Municipal was founded in July 1909. As the Municipal Theater of São Paulo the building is designed in eclectic style, inspired by the Paris Opera designed by Charles Garnier. The House has almost 1,700 seats distributed on four levels. The outside walls are inscribed with names of significant people in the Brazilian and international culture. The theater is located near the National Library and the National Fine Arts Museum. It overlooks the spacious Cinelândia Square.
At the beginning of the 20th century century Brazil's former capital underwent a reurbanization plan conducted by mayor Francisco Pereira Passos in order to make the city the shining example of modernity in the country. The project of a theater that would enable the city to present operas and concerts was in the mind of the reurbanization's planners. The building was constructed on Avenida Central (Central Avenue), nowadays Avenida Rio Branco, right by the seafront at the time.
