Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro

At a glance

History

The building came out of a design competition. Two entries shared first place, by Francisco de Oliveira Passos and the Frenchman Albert Guilbert, and the final project combined them. The result took the Paris Opera as its model.

Since the 1930s the theatre has had its own resident companies. The eagle on the roof weighs 350 kg and is covered in 8,000 sheets of 23-carat gold leaf. During the last restoration a large original panel by Eliseu Visconti was found and restored.

One more name worth knowing: Mercedes Baptista, the first Black ballerina in the theatre’s permanent company. Her statue stands at Largo de São Francisco da Prainha, near Pedra do Sal, if you continue to the port area.

Guided tours

The theatre’s education department (Setor Educativo) runs the guided tours, including themed visits at certain times of year. Days, times, languages and tickets change, so check the current schedule on the theatre’s website. We check it for your date when we plan the day.

Performances

Opera, ballet and concerts by the theatre’s own companies and visiting artists are listed on the theatre’s website, with tickets sold there.

How to get there

The theatre stands on Praça Floriano in Cinelândia, a short walk from Cinelândia metro station. The station serves metro lines 1 and 2; its Acesso A, signed “Theatro Municipal”, opens Monday to Saturday 5:00-0:00 and on Sundays and holidays 7:00-23:00 (MetrôRio). On the same square or a few minutes’ walk away are the National Museum of Fine Arts (Av. Rio Branco, 199) and the Biblioteca Nacional (Av. Rio Branco, 219). The Metropolitan Cathedral and the Arcos da Lapa are a short walk south.

If you come by car with a driver, you are dropped at the square and picked up there.

Combine it with

• National Museum of Fine Arts: Tuesday to Saturday 11:00-17:00, free entry (Ibram, checked 29.10.2026).
• Biblioteca Nacional: guided visits Monday to Friday at 11:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00, booking by email in advance ([email protected]).
• The Metropolitan Cathedral, the Arcos da Lapa and the Selarón Steps, all within walking distance.
• Confeitaria Colombo on Rua Gonçalves Dias for a coffee break in the old centre.

How we help

We build a half day or a full day in the centre around the theatre: a private guide in your language, a driver if you want one, and the tour or performance tickets checked against the theatre’s schedule for your date.

What to tell us in your request

• Your date, and whether you want a tour or a performance
• How many people, and the ages of any children
• The language you’d like your guide to speak
• What else you’d like to see in the centre
• Anything to plan around: stairs, mobility, a stroller

Write to us on WhatsApp first, or use the request form.