A multimillion-dollar renovation restored the grandeur of the structure, which serves as the official home of the São Paulo Municipal Symphony Orchestra and the São Paulo City Ballet, among other artistic organizations. With a design inspired directly by Milan’s Teatroalla Scala, the theater was erected during the height of São Paulo’s wealth and influence as the center of Brazil’s coffee industry, though the location of the structure is called Morro do Chá—Tea Hill.
The site of many debuts by Brazilian composers as well as host of 1922’s groundbreaking Week of Modern Art, which set the tone for the country’s multifaceted participation in Modernism, the theater welcomes visitors and offers guided tours arranged through its on-site historical museum. And purchasing tickets for any of the various artistic events at the theater’s turn-of-last-century box office is an experience in itself.
The Theatro Municipal is located at Praça Ramos de Azevedo, within walking distance of many landmarks. It is also easily accessible via the República (Lines 3 and 4) and Anhangabaú (Line 3) metro stations, as well as by taxi. Because São Paulo streets can be congested, driving is not recommended.
The box office is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 7pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5pm. It remains open until the start of the event in the evenings; for morning shows, it opens two hours before the performance begins. On some Mondays and Wednesdays, the theater offers free events; check the website for up-to-date information.
Located a short distance from the theater, this green space hosts a popular crafts fair and flea market on Sundays, when hundreds of vendors sell their wares, including landscape paintings, wood carvings, and other decorative items. It’s also home to the São Paulo State Department of Education, a striking yellow brick building.
