A primeira Casa da Ópera na América Portuguesa: representações teatrais em Vila Rica na primeira metade do século XVIII

Abstract

This paper approaches the theatrical performances in Vila Rica during the first half of the 18th century, from the plays performed in ephemeral theatres built for the great civil and religious celebrations to the performances held in the first permanent public theatre of the capital of Minas Gerais. We intend to expand the knowledge concerning the first Opera House in Portuguese America, both on what regards its location and architecture, as well as to suggest the hypothesis of who was its administrator or owner. The research was developed from the analyses of primary sources preserved at the Public Archive of Minas Gerais, which were confronted with maps and images from the 18^th century. Besides the primary sources regarding the first theatre of the region, we intend to contextualise the theatrical production of the capital of Minas Gerais with the one developed in the remaining cities and villages of 18^th century Portuguese America. In this sense, the current paper establishes a connection between the first theatrical performances documented in Vila Rica in 1733 and the thriving theatrical activity developed on the last half of the century, when the second Opera House was erected.