Teatro Municipal — Casa da Ópera

Oldest working theatre in the Americas, opened in 1770

A small horseshoe-shaped auditorium with three tiers of boxes, decorated in pale blue and gold. The proportions are intimate: from the cheapest gallery seat you can see the expressions of the performers. The acoustics are remarkable for the period.

Daytime visits are possible when no rehearsal is on; check at the door. An evening performance is one of the best things to do in town — schedules are listed in the tourist office on the square and tickets are inexpensive.

things to do sight
A story
Built by João de Souza Lisboa, an entrepreneur who was repeatedly investigated by the colonial authorities for tax evasion, the theatre opened in 1770 with a now-lost opera. It is the oldest theatre still in operation in the Americas — older than any surviving Spanish or English colonial theatre — and it still hosts opera, classical music, and student productions.