History and Culture
Essential destination for anyone who wants an immersion in Salvador
Nationally and internationally recognized, the Castro Alves Theater completed half a century of existence in 2017. National heritage, registered by the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN) in 2014, TCA is the scene of important local, national and international shows of the most varied artistic languages, besides being responsible for a series of formative activities and for hosting other diverse artistic-cultural activities.
Main room. Photo: Fábio Marconi
With its avant-garde architecture, it has been considered the most complete house of shows in the Americas, with the most modern equipment. In 1958, five days before its official opening, the main block of the TCA was destroyed by a fire of unknown causes, leaving the population of Bahia in shock. The Acoustic Shell was not reached by the fire, being inaugurated in April of 1959.
Photo: Fábio Marconi
The reconstruction process of TCA lasted nine years. And in the physical and political ashes of the Military Dictatorship period, the vanguard of the Brazilian theater was born there. Lina Bo Bardi, with a daring and innovative attitude, subverted the logic of the Theater occupation, making the ruins the scenario of the renowned “Opera dos Três Tostões” by Martim Gonçalves, based on the work of Bertold Brecht. The Castro Alves Theater was officially inaugurated on a gala night on March 4th, 1967 and, among many great names that performed, was the singer and composer from Bahia Dorival Caymmi.
Backstage, Main Hall of Castro Alves Theater.Photo: Fábio Marconi
In recent years, more than a theater, TCA has consolidated itself as a living and dynamic cultural center. Currently, the Complex has intended to be a mirror of democratic public guidelines, which allow its deeper integration with society. Only between 2015 and 2016, almost half a million spectators have attended more than 300 presentations held in the Main Hall and the recently reopened Acoustic Shell. But these numbers reveal only part of what TCA represents for Bahian culture.
Acoustic shell. Photo: Fábio Marconi
The new TCA has reclassified spaces, such as the Main Hall, Choir Room, Acoustic Shell, Foyer, Technical Center, Free Lobby, Suspended Garden and the Theater Café. It also has many important projects like: TCA Series, with the proposal of inserting Salvador in the circuit of great international spectacles; the Theater Nucleus, which was created in 1995 to connect the Castro Alves Theater with the scenery of the performing arts in all its instances and dimensions; the Plugged Conversations, with the aim of taking advantage of the city’s show schedule to provide TCA staff and the Bahian arts class with direct contact with the great names of the arts on a national and international level; and Sunday at TCA, which provides the Bahian population with wide access to quality shows with tickets at a price of R$ 1.00.
Photo: Fábio Marconi
In addition, there are presentations that are classics of the city. Both residents and visitors can not miss. It’s always a beautiful presentation! The Stable Bodies are: OSBA – Bahia Symphony Orchestra, created in 1982. Since 2011, the position of titular conductor and artistic curator of OSBA is occupied by maestro Carlos Prazeres. Therefore appeared the Jorge Amado, Carybé, Manuel Inácio da Costa and Glauber Rocha Series; another one is the Castro Alves Theater Ballet (BTCA) – the first public dance company of the North and Northeast and fifth of the country. The BTCA was founded in 1981 and became a reference for modern and contemporary dance. Today, with an artistic body of 36 dancers and under the artistic direction of Antrifo Sanches, BTCA has more than 70 pieces in its repertoire, being a prominent presence in the national and international dance scene.
There is still the Technical Center, which is worth knowing a lot more in this link.
Photos of the space: Fábio Marconi
