Historical Collection

By Municipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Act of the inauguration of the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Theater (1909-07-14) by Acervo CEDOC | FTMRJMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Letter of Eliseu Visconti for the Federal District Municipality (1942-06-15) by Eliseu D' Angelo ViscontiMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

The history of founding of the Municipal Theater Documentation Center dates back to 1942, when painter Eliseu Visconti - responsible for several decorative works at the Municipal Theater - donated his studies to the then Prefecture of the Federal District, for public visitation purposes.
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Science and Truth (1906) by Eliseu D' Angelo ViscontiMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

On 20 January 1950, the Federal District Prefecture established the Museum of Theaters of Rio de Janeiro (created by Law 425 of 28 November 1949) in the Salão Assyrio of the Municipal Theater. The museum was opened to the public on 2nd April 1951.

Sneaker by Foto de João LimaMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

The initial collection of the Museum of Theaters of Rio de Janeiro was extended with thousands of other pieces donated by artists and ordinary people, favoring not only the expansion of the collection, but its relevance as a major performing arts documentation center, attracting researchers from all over the country and the world.
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Tatiana Leskova by Acervo CEDOC | FTMRJMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

The Documentation Center collection brings together an archive and a museum collection. The documentary collection consists of photographs, concert programs, librettos, scores, manuscripts, postcards, posters, leaflets, books and periodicals.

Nijinsky by Acervo CEDOC | FTMRJMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Eros Volusia by Collection CEDOC | FTMRJMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Mercedes Batista by Collection CEDOC | FTMRJMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Apotheosis of the Dance (2015-10-07) by Photo Júlia RónaiMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Violeta Coelho Netto de Freitas by Acervo CEDOC | FTMRJMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Menu of the day of the inauguration of the Municipal Theater (1909-07-14)Municipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Lamp of one of the cabins of the Municipal Theater by Collection CEDOC | FTMRJMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

The museum collection includes more than 600 items and consists of paintings, porcelain, glass, drawings, sculptures, clothing, coins, furniture, personal belongings of artists and stage props.

Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro by José Maria de Almeida| Foto de João LimaMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Armchair by Foto de João LimaMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Municipal Theater (1959) by Foto de João LimaMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Commemorative Medal (1925) by Foto de João LimaMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Commemorative Medal (1925) by Collection CEDOC | FTMRJMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Maguey for cigar by Foto de João LimaMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Cuff link by Foto de João LimaMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Bertha Rosanova Costume as Black Swan (1959) by Photo of João LimaMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Beret by Foto de João LimaMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Carlos Gomes by Arthur Lucas | Photo of João LimaMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Leopoldo Miguez by Rodolpho Bernardelli | Foto de João LimaMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Pierre Michailowsky by I. Chalon | Foto de João LimaMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Molière award (1971) by Foto de João LimaMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Procopio Ferreira by Collection CEDOC | FTMRJMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Cachepot by Collection CEDOC| FTMRJMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

With a collection compiled for over half a century, the Municipal Theater Documentation Center is one of the most important institutions of reference in terms of history and memory of the performing arts in the country.

Credits: Story

Documentary sources

Collection of Rio de Janeiro Municipal Theater Documentation Center - CEDOC / FTMRJ

Curatorship and Text
Fátima Cristina Gonçalves

Photos by
João Lima
Júlia Rónai

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

Municipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Stories from Municipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Online Exhibit