Santa Roza is the oldest theater in the State of Paraíba and the fifth oldest in Brazil. It has been the stage of important artistic and historic moments of the State, such as the Meeting that conceived the State flag; the Parliament session that changed the State capital’s name from Paraíba to João Pessoa as a tribute to the former president killed on July 26, 1930; and it also opened as a movie theater from 1911-1941.
The foundation stone for its construction was officially laid on August 2, 1852, by means of the Provincial Law No. 549, during the government of Francisco Teixeira de Sá. The construction work was under responsibility of the Private Society Santa Cruz, being suspended in 1882 due to lack of financial resources.
The work was resumed during the provincial government of Francisco da Gama Roza. Santa Roza Theater’s name comes after that. In fact, there is controversy regarding the letters “S” and “Z” when spelling the word Roza. Some believe it must remain with “Z” because it was a tribute to governor Francisco da Gama Roza, while others believe that it must be written with “S”, which is etymologically correct, coming from the Latin word rosa.
The opening day was November 3, 1889, when the tragedy O Jesuíta - or O Ladrão de Honra, by Henrique Peixoto was presented. Twelve days after the opening, Francisco da Gama Roza lost his mandate due to the proclamation of Republic in the country.
Venâncio Neiva, the first republican governor of Paraíba, changed the theater’s name to Teatro do Estado, however, this act was revoked. João Pessoa, candidate for vice-presidency of Paraíba, wanted to change its location because, at that time, he considered the area to be marginalized.
The building, facing South, is located at the old Field of Conselheiro Diogo, which is, today, Pedro Américo Square in the center of João Pessoa, capital of the State of Paraíba. The theater has 412 seats and is a monument that represents the civil architecture of the period, with a neoclassical style and Greek-Roman influence. Limestone was used to build the walls and, for the cabins and inner lining, Riga Pine (currently considered a precious wood, during the Colonial and Monarchical periods of Brazil it was used for the ballast in European ships and it was discarded when the ships arrived at the destination port, thus being reused for construction work).
Considering the theater is over 120 years old, it is natural that it has been through several renovations and reconstructions along the time, however, all the architecture interventions were careful about conserving the original style. The theater, listed as historic landmark by the National Historic and Artistic Heritage Institute, is considered a cultural icon and patrimony of the State, pertaining to the Foundation Espaço Cultural da Paraíba.
It is possible to say Santa Roza Theater is still alive, for there are always great spectacles, poetry recitals, concerts, dance and acting classes held there. The Theater’s history is eternalized in the books Santa Rosa, um teatro centenário and Um teatro de 120 anos (1889-2009), by the journalist and writer Fátima Araújo.
Recife, 25 April 2012.
sources consulted
PARAIBA. Governo. Secretaria de Segurança Publica. Homenagem aos 120 anos do Santa Roza lota teatro na Capital. Available at:
<http://www.vicegovernadoria.pb.gov.br/index.php?opion=com_cont...>. Accessed: 12 abr. 2012.
SANTOS, Alex (Org.). Walfrido Rodriguez e a cultura paraibana. João Pessoa: Empresas Gráficas do Nordeste, 1989. 106 p. il.
TEATRO Santa Roza. [Foto neste texto]. Available at: <http://inventamarinho.blogspot.com.br/2008/06/teatro-santa-roza.html>. Accessed: 26 abr. 2012.
VARANDAS, Edval Toscano. Resgate histórico do Teatro Santa Roza: 118 anos após sua inauguração, a história do Teatro Santa Roza ainda permanece obscura e ceifada de erros.Available at:<http://www.eliezergomes.com/noticia/673/historias_da_paraiba__resgate_historico_do_teatro_santa_roza/>. Accessed: 23 abr. 2012.
how to quote this text
Source: Andrade, Maria do Carmo. Teatro Santa Roza, João Pessoa, PB. Available at: <https://pesquisaescolar.fundaj.gov.br/en/>. Accessed: day month year. Exemple.: 6 August 2012.