Rio de Janeiro City Hall begins restoration work on the Carlos Gomes Theater, which turned 150 years old - Rio de Janeiro City Hall

The Carlos Gomes Theater will undergo extensive renovation - Beth Santos/City of Rio

One of the most traditional theaters in the country is beginning to undergo extensive modernization. In continuation of the restoration of the equipment of the Municipal Department of Culture, the City of Rio, also through the Department of Infrastructure and the Municipal Urbanization Company (Rio-Urbe), began, this Wednesday (16/11), the revitalization works of the Carlos Gomes Theater, in Praça Tiradentes, in the city center. As imposing as it is important, this Rio de Janeiro performing arts venue, having recently completed 150 years, will receive, above all, restoration and adaptations for accessibility, which will facilitate and guarantee the entry of people with disabilities. The investment will be R$ 8,3 million and the deadline for completion of the services is 15 months.

– We are preparing the Carlos Gomes to be the city’s main theater for the next 50 years, maintaining its popular character, a seasonal theater. We are going to increase its capacity from 685 to 755 seats. We are going to modernize the elevators and also create accessibility to the stage. While the construction is underway, the facility will be open to the public – said the Secretary of Culture, Marcus Faustini. In 2001, he presented and directed the play “A luta secreta de Maria da Encarnação” by Gianfrancesco Guarnieri at the venue.

The theater restoration project includes revitalizing the Guarani Hall, installing new air conditioning and fire prevention and fighting systems, and modernizing the building's elevators. In addition, the electrical, plumbing, and sewage systems will be restored, as well as the dressing rooms, technical rooms, and auditorium.

The theater will have its capacity increased from 685 to 755 people. The building's three art deco foyers stand out – one below the entrance, another above and the third in the galleries – with tiled floors and marble staircases. The cultural space also has ten dressing rooms, five of which are individual, spread over four floors.

The idea is to transform Carlos Gomes into a technological theater, with coworking and Wi-Fi. The place also has space for a cafeteria and a kitchen. The facility occupies a property listed by the city for its architectural, historical and cultural importance, and is part of the Cultural Heritage Circuits of the Rio Heritage Institute (IRPH).

From Grande Otelo and Procopio Ferreira to Eva Todor and Bibi Ferreira

In the center of Rio, right on Tiradentes Square, the Carlos Gomes is considered one of the oldest and most important theaters in the city, having started its activities even before the Theatro Municipal (1909). Opened in 1872, with the name Casino Franco-Brésilien, it was also called Teatro Santana, until at the beginning of the XNUMXth century it was renamed in honor of Carlos Gomes, the most important opera composer in Brazil, author of “O Guarani”.

In 1929, the theater suffered its first fire. The building was then rebuilt in its current art deco style. The building caught fire twice more, in 1950 and 1960. In 1988, it was purchased by the Rio City Hall and handed over to the public in 1992, after its last major structural renovation.

Great names in Brazilian drama have already stepped onto that stage, such as Grande Otelo, Eva Todor, Bibi Ferreira, Vicente Celestino, Dulcina de Moraes, Procópio Ferreira and Elke Maravilha.

It is impossible to talk about the Carlos Gomes Theater and not consider its surroundings, a cultural hub in Tiradentes Square, also formed by the Sebrae Center for Reference in Brazilian Crafts (CRAB); Hélio Oiticica Municipal Arts Center; João Caetano Theater; Royal Reading Room and Gentil Carioca Art Gallery, among others.