Rivoli Municipal Theatre

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Theatre

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Baixa do Porto

Location

The Rivoli Municipal Theatre is strategically located in Praça D. João I, right in the heart of Porto's Baixa (Downtown). This is an area of great centrality in the city, characterized by the presence of significant architecture and its urban dynamism, reflecting the pulse of Porto life.

An Artistic and Architectural Legacy

The history of Rivoli is a testament to Porto's cultural evolution. Opened in 1913 as Teatro Nacional (National Theatre), the building underwent significant transformations to adapt to new times. In 1923, or 1932, it was reborn as Teatro Rivoli, the result of a profound remodelling designed by the architect and engineer Júlio Brito. This phase marked its adaptation to host cinema, in addition to opera, dance, theatre, and concerts.

In the 1990s, Rivoli was once again the subject of extensive renovation work, under the direction of architect Pedro Ramalho. This intervention considerably expanded its area, endowing it with new functionalities, such as a secondary auditorium and other support areas. Reopened in 1997, Rivoli established itself as a modern and multifunctional space, prepared for the artistic demands of contemporaneity.

The Imposing Presence and Art on the Façade

Upon observing the façade of Teatro Rivoli, an artistic element of particular interest stands out: a bas-relief panel by the sculptor Henrique Moreira. This work, added during the theatre's "golden years" in the 1940s and 1950s, lends uniqueness and grandeur to the building, inviting a closer look at its detail and beauty, even for those simply passing through the square.

The City's Cultural Heart

Currently, the Rivoli Municipal Theatre stands as one of Porto's main performing arts centres. Its programming is vast and diverse, encompassing various artistic disciplines such as dance, theatre, music, cinema, new circus, and puppetry. Inside, Rivoli has two important presentation spaces: the Manoel de Oliveira Grand Auditorium and the Isabel Alves Costa Small Auditorium, which host a wide range of national and international artistic creations.

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