Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Manaus: Teatro Amazonas
Built at the end of the 19th century during the
Belle Époque, when fortunes were made from
the extraction of rubber in Manaus, the Teatro
Amazonas remains one of the jewels of the Amazon
region. This grand state-of-the-art, Renaissance-style
opera house was designed by Gabinete Português
de Engenharia de Lisbon (Portuguese Engineering
Academy of Lisbon). Inaugurated on December 31,
1896, it was two more years before construction
was completed and the prominent landmark with
a glistening dome appeared above the port.
The Teatro façade, restored to pink at
the close of the 20th century
The theater's roof ,
made of red tiles,
keeps out the
tropical rain.
. The Painted Curtain
The main stage curtain was created by
Manaus-based artist Crispim do Amaral
(1845-1911) to depict the Meeting of the
Waters (see p285) , and also a local river
goddess, Iara. The curtain is pulled up
into the specially designed cupola at the
start of each performance.
The Wooden Floor
The opera house floor, laid
with thousands of pieces of
Amazon timber, is a master-
piece of craftsmanship. The
light and dark patterns repre-
sent the meeting of the Negro
and Amazon rivers (see p285) .
Events
Regular musical
events and operas
include those
of the relatively
new Companhia
de Dança and
the resident
Orquestra
Filarmônica do
Amazonas.
STAR FEATURES
. The Painted Curtain
.
The Cupola
. The Four Painted
Pillars
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp383-4 and p408
 
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