
One of the few concert halls opened in the 20th century that is still in operation in São Paulo, the Theatro São Pedro is an architectural jewel and a landmark in the city’s history. It hosts unforgettable operas, candlelit concerts and classic films with a soundtrack performed by an orchestra. Theatro is a fundamental part of the capital’s art scene, and we’ve put together some information here that you might not have known, so come and check it out!
The history of Theatro São Pedro
Inaugurated on January 16, 1917, the São Pedro Theater was designed by the Italian architect Augusto Bernadelli Marchesini and built by the Portuguese Manuel Fernandes Lopes. It was considered the most modern and luxurious in the city at the time, with a predominantly neoclassical architectural style with art nouveau details. Today, the theater has a capacity for 636 spectators and is one of the few opera houses in Brazil with a continuous program dedicated to the genre.
What to do at Theatro São Pedro?
With its fabulous acoustics, Theatro São Pedro is the ideal place to watch operas, live music shows and plays. It also hosts the enchanting Candlelight concerts which, with a sea of flickering candles, illuminate this historic venue providing a magical setting. From timeless composers like Vivaldi and Tchaikovsky to rock legends like Coldplay and Queen, there’s sure to be a concert to suit all tastes.
A promoter of culture and new talent
The theater is home to the Theatro São Pedro Orchestra, created in 2010 and a reference in opera and lyrical music in Brazil. In 2013, the Theatro São Pedro Opera Academy was created, which offers free training in lyrical singing for young singers, investing in the training of new talents. And in its quest to democratize access to the arts, the theater offers programming to the general public at affordable prices, reaffirming its importance in preserving cultural history and influencing São Paulo’s art scene.
Film screenings at the Theatro?
Although the building was initially built solely to host theatrical productions, from the 1920s onwards it was transformed into a fully functioning cinema. The space hosted film screenings for over 40 years, until 1968, when Maurício Segall and actress Beatriz Segall (yes, Odete Roitman herself!) took over the venue and decided that it should only present theatrical performances. Today, on selected dates, Cine São Pedro is a movie theater project with live music that shows classic films with a soundtrack performed by an orchestra.
Located in central São Paulo, close to the Marechal Deodoro metro station, the Theatro São Pedro is one of the special places in São Paulo that hosts enchanting candlelit concerts. The perfect combination of live music and candlelight is the perfect evening to relax in one of the most beautiful places in the city, and you won’t want to miss this opportunity.