Porto Municipal Theatre - Rivoli

Category: Civil Architecture > Theatre

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Baixa do Porto

Location

The Porto Municipal Theatre, Rivoli is located in Praça de D. João I, a key point in Downtown Porto. This square is a dynamic and central urban space that captures the city's pulse. The theatre's presence in this location gives it distinct visibility and accessibility, naturally integrating it into the urban experience for those exploring the heart of Porto.

A Scenic Legacy

The history of the Rivoli dates back to 1913, the year it was inaugurated under the designation of Teatro Nacional. However, it was in 1932 that it gained the identity we know today, reopening as the Rivoli Theatre. This transformation, designed by architect Júlio Brito, adapted the space to host not only theatre, dance, opera, and concert performances, but also cinema screenings, reflecting the modernity of the era.

The 1940s and 1950s were a period of great splendor for this performance hall. A highlight from this phase is the incorporation of the remarkable bas-relief panel by sculptor Henrique Moreira, which still adorns the top of the façade today, serving as an artistic testament to its rich trajectory. After a period of deterioration, the Rivoli was acquired by the Porto City Council in 1989. A profound renovation followed, initiated in 1992 under the direction of architect Pedro Ramalho, which significantly expanded its facilities, equipping it with a secondary auditorium, a café-concert, and other support areas, before its reopening in October 1997.

The Stage of Diversity

Currently, the Porto Municipal Theatre, Rivoli is a vibrant cultural activity center and one of the city's artistic hubs. Its program stands out for its multidisciplinarity, presenting a wide range of artistic proposals. Here, visitors can attend various performances, from dance and theatre to music, as well as puppet theatre, new circus, and cinema.

With the Manoel de Oliveira Grand Auditorium and the Isabel Alves Costa Small Auditorium, the Rivoli is a stage where different artistic approaches are explored and discovery is promoted. Its vocation is to be a space open to diverse languages and a plurality of expressions, reinforcing its role as a cultural landmark in Porto.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt