Teatro Carlos Gomes, Heritage theatre in central Vitoria, Brazil.
Teatro Carlos Gomes is a theatre on Praça Costa Pereira in downtown Vitória, designed by Italian architect André Carloni and opened on 5 January 1927. It mixes architectural styles with neoclassicism predominating, and its balconies and galleries are supported by cast-iron columns taken from the earlier Teatro Melpômene. The ceiling painting is by Homero Massena.
The theatre opened on 5 January 1927, designed by Italian architect André Carloni in an eclectic style with neoclassical predominance, inspired by Milan's Teatro alla Scala. It replaced the Teatro Melpomene, destroyed by fire in 1923 to widen Praça da Independência (now Praça Costa Pereira). Private funds built it, reusing Melpomene's cast-iron columns; the state bought it soon after and, after the 1929 coffee crisis, leased it to a firm that also ran it as a cinema. Restored from 1970, it was listed by the State Culture Council in 1983.
The theatre's name honours composer Antônio Carlos Gomes, and its ceiling painting is by Homero Massena, an artist from Minas Gerais. The building stands on Praça Costa Pereira, the square enlarged after the old Teatro Melpômene was demolished in 1923; the new theatre was the state's compensation to the municipality for that loss.
The building is located at Praca Costa Pereira in downtown Vitoria and remains closed due to ongoing restoration work that began in 2017. It is best to inquire locally or check for updates about the renovation progress before planning a visit.
The cast iron columns supporting the balconies and galleries were salvaged from the Teatro Melpomene, the city's only theatre, demolished in 1923 to open Rua Sete de Setembro and widen the square. The state promised a replacement theatre in exchange for using the old site, and private funds paid for the 1927 building.
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