The Rio de Janeiro Theater

So, wow.  The Municipal Theater in Rio de Janeiro was gorgeous.  Unlike many buildings, particularly in downtown, the Theater has been kept up to pristine condition.  Eddie and I stumbled upon it as I was dragging him to the Belle Epoch Art Museum.
.

Look at these pictures.
.

The front from the plaza across the ware.

.

Both sides had murals along their balconies.  Friezes decorated the building all over.
.

This is Antonio Carlos Gomes.  It was a contemporary of European like Verdi, List and Puccini.  He was the first "New World" artist to be accepted and played extensively in Europe.  That is is statue outside the Theater.  And if you look up on the coppula, you can see his name right next to Wagner.