The jewel's seen from the inside

Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro.Municipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

The inauguration of the Municipal Theater on 14th July 1909 represented for Rio de Janeiro and for the Federal District the conquest of a center of excellence and sophistication for the artistic and cultural life of the capital of the Republic.

The Art (1906) by Eliseu D' Angelo ViscontiMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

The internal decoration's work of the Theater were entrusted to important artists as Eliseu Visconti, the brothers Rodolfo and Henrique Bernardelli, Rodolpho Amoedo and Giandomenico Facchina.
(Click on the images to see more details)

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

In 1905 Eliseu Visconti was invited by Francisco de Oliveira Passos to create the decoration works of the ceiling in the Room of Spectacles, the frieze of the proscenium and curtain. A part of the studies of these works were donated by the artist to the Municipality of the Federal District in 1942 and they can are in the collection of the Municipal Theater.

Concert Hall of the Municipal Theater (2009/2010) by Jorge CampanaMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

The curtain, entitled " The influence of the Arts in Civilization " was developed based in female figures to represent the Art, the Music, the Dance and the Poetry .

Influence of the Arts on Civilization. by Eliseu D' Angelo ViscontiMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Alongside these figures, Visconti inserted portraits of great figures of the national and universal culture.

Plafond Concert Hall (2015/2015) by Eliseu Visconti | Photo of Júlia RónaiMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

The work "The Dance of the Hours" decorates skirting the chandelier of the Room of the Spectacles. Referring to this beautiful ensemble, the chronicler João do Rio described overcome with emotion in 1913 : "the pink carnation warmed by the brazier of the immense crystal chandelier and gold, which the center of the room gushing over the audience the fixed splendor of the light. "

A Dança das Horas - Detail (1908) by Eliseu D' Angelo Visconti | Photo Jorge CampanaMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

In the painting of the ceiling over the audience Visconti used the pointillist technique. The figures show extreme lightness and they dance interconnected to spend the days and nights in continuous motion.

Brothers Bernardelli (1913-02-22) by Foto de Augusto MaltaMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Henrique Bernardelli was responsible for the decoration of the ceilings of the roundabouts of the Noble Balcony, whose subjects honor the Music and the Poetry.

Apotheosis to Music (1908) by Henrique Bernardelli | Photo Júlia RónaiMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Apoteose à Música - Detail (1908) by Henrique Bernardelli | Photo Jorge CampanaMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Poetry by Rodolpho Bernardelli | Photo Evandro Luiz BertanhaMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Rodolpho Bernardelli performed the sculptural set of the crowning of the facades of the Theater, where six sculptures honor the muses of the arts : Poetry, Music, Singing, Dance, Comedy and Tragedy .
He is also the author of five bronze busts located at the entrance of the Theater representing Carlos Gomes, Arthur Azevedo, João Caetano Pereira Passos and Souza Aguiar, and a full-body sculpture of Carlos Gomes located in the Boulevard's entrance.

Music (2009/2010) by Rodolpho Bernardelli | Photo Evandro Luiz BertanhaMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Dance and Cantus by Rodolpho Bernardelli | Photo Evandro Luiz BertanhaMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Rotunda Panels (1908) by Rodolpho Amoedo | Photo Júlia RónaiMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

The oil panels from Rodolpho Amoedo adorn the two Roundabouts of the Noble Balcony, a total of eight works. In this picture, which shows the Rotunda facing the Rio Branco Avenue, the artist presents dancing couples with clothes and iconographic elements from Poland, Hungary, France and Spain; the rosettes, a representation of the original flowers of these countries.

The Truth (1908) by Jean Antoine InjalbertMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

In addition to the artistic paintings, the interior of the Theatre is decorated with Rodolpho Bernardelli's, Raoul Verlet's and Jean Antoine Injalber's sculptures. The last one is the author of "The Truth", a work in marble located above the main entrance.

Ceilling Decoration (2015/2015) by Júlia Rónai and Foto: Júlia RónaiMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

The stained glasses that adorn the facades and the roof of the main entrance are works of Feuerstein and Fugel, from Stuttgart.

Stained Glass I (2015/2015) by Júlia RónaiMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Stained Glass II (2015/2015) by Júlia RónaiMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Stained Glass III (2015/2015) by Júlia Rónai and Foto: Júlia RónaiMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Assyrio's Hall' s mosaic (1908) by Júlia RónaiMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

The side entries receive mosaic panels with opera topics, executed by the Italian Giandomenico Facchina.

Assyrio Hall's mosaic (1908) by Júlia RónaiMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Assyrio's Mosaic Panel I (1908) by Júlia RónaiMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Glazed Ceramic Panel by Photo of Álvaro VitorMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

The Salão Assyrio occupies the ground floor area and is designed to accommodate the restaurant of the Theatre. The decoration is inspired by the Mesopotamian art. The walls are covered with glazed ceramics; the columns in Persian style are topped with two bull heads.

Bull (1908) by Júlia RónaiMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

Asyrio's Sculpture (1908) by Júlia RónaiMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

The stairs are studded with kerubs, also elements from the Persian culture.

Main Stairs (2015/2015) by Júlia RónaiMunicipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro

The beautiful interior decoration of the Municipal Theater of Rio inspired John chronicler saying:
"Many theaters do not keep the proportion of luxury and grace between the inside and the inside. Now are only rich facade, now only affluent audience of forming violent contrasts. The Municipal is the jewel seen from inside."

Credits: Story

Documentary sources
Collection of the Documentation Centre of the Municipal Theater Foundation of Rio de Janeiro - CEDOC / FTMRJ
Curatorship and Text
Fatima Cristina Gonçalves

Photos
Álvaro Vitor
Jorge Campana
Júlia Rónai
Luiz Evandro Bertanha
Vânia Laranjeira

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.
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