The João Caetano Theater
The João Caetano Theater, located at Praça Tiradentes, is the oldest performance venue in Rio de Janeiro. It was inaugurated in 1813 under the name Real Theatro de São João, in honor of its founder, Dom João VI. In the 19th century, when Rio de Janeiro became the capital of the Portuguese Empire, the elite sought to transform the city into a European-style metropolis. One of their plans was to have a theater for opera performances. It’s worth noting that theater had already been a part of the city’s cultural life since the colonial period, serving as an important tool for educating and informing a largely illiterate population. However, there wasn’t a theater that was considered suitable for the royal court. This all changed in 1813.
Painting by Debret, circa 1834. Brasiliana Fotográfica.
The city began acquiring landmarks that reflected the desired sophistication and refinement for the new seat of the court. The theater was essential in this sense and became a meeting place for the elite and influential figures of the time. It was a venue for grand galas and important events, where people attended not only to watch performances but also to see and be seen. At this time, the theater was the stage for artistic productions, but also for the intense interplay of power and influence.
In 1821, then prince, Dom Pedro addressed the people from the theater’s balcony in a symbolic gesture of support for their demands in terms of accepting the Portuguese constitutional framework. The use of the balcony for announcements and official declarations transformed the theater into a space of political representation and a point of connection between the people and the royal family, cementing its role in the country’s history.
Marc Ferrez. São Pedro Theater, 1870 circa. Praça Tiradentes, Rio de Janeiro. Masters of the 19th Century Collection. IMS Collection.
In the years following the Independence, the theater’s decor and the themes of its performances reflected the ideals of the era. In an allegory of national formation commissioned by Dom Pedro I, Jean-Baptiste Debret designed a new stage curtain, replacing the old Portuguese scenery with an idealized vision of Brazil with Indigenous, Black, White, and mixed-race people, as well as a female figure who represented the Empire and tropical fruits, and lush forest. And so, the theater became a showcase for the emerging Brazilian identity, helping to consolidate the imagery of the Brazilian Empire.
Over the years, the São João Theater underwent several transformations. In 1826, it was renamed the Imperial Theatro São Pedro de Alcântara in honor of Dom Pedro I. Years later, following the emperor’s abdication, it was called the Theatro Constitucional Fluminense (1831–1839), reflecting the political changes of the time. Over time, the building suffered from fires and underwent numerous renovations until it was rebuilt in the 20th century. In 1930, it was renamed the João Caetano Theater, in honor of the famous 19th-century Brazilian actor, who made his debut on its stage and played a key role in its restoration after repeated fires destroyed the original structure.
Praça Tiradentes, Teatro São Caetano. Augusto Malta, c.1930. Coleção Gilberto Ferrez. Acervo IMS.
The Jõao Caetano Theater is still a landmark of Carioca culture today and is renowned for its ability to host performances across various genres and for its good facilities, which include a stage, a three-tiered audience area, and dressing rooms. Even after more than two centuries, the theater continues to thrive, serving as both a witness to and a protagonist in Brazil’s transformations since colonial times. The building has a statue of the actor João Caetano at its entrance. It honors his significance in Brazilian theater history, but also symbolizes the culture and history of the city.
Statue in front of the João Caetano Theater, in Praça Tiradentes, Rio de Janeiro, 1972. National Archive. Correio da Manhã Collection.
