Public Theatres in the Capital of Minas Gerais in the 18th century: from the Opera House of Vila Rica to the Theatre of the Ouro Preto

Abstract

It was during the reign of Joseph I (1750 1777) that operatic activity was established in Luso American colonies; several permanent theatres were built across Portugal's vast territories in America, most of them following the architectural and administrative models already in use at the public theatres of Portugal. The Opera House of Vila Rica/Ouro Preto stands out amongst these Portuguese American theatres of the 18th century as the sole surviving example of Portuguese public theatre typology. This paper intends to outline the origins of Ouro Preto's Opera House, considering issues of its organisation and administration in the course of its exis tence, the architecture of its 18th century building, and the innovations introduced to the structure during its mid-19th century restoration.