Garcia de Resende Theatre (Teatro Garcia de Resende), Évora

The theatre's inauguration on June 1, 1892, marked the culmination of a lengthy process that began on April 11, 1881, under the guidance of owner José Maria Ramalho Dinis Perdigão. Although interrupted by Perdigão's death, construction resumed in 1886 for a brief period until Dr. Francisco Eduardo Barahona Fragoso, who had married Perdigão's widow, took on the task of completing the project. The engineering direction was entrusted to Évora native Adriano de A. S. Monteiro.

Architecturally, the theatre's original facade, adorned with ornate pink marble, intricate stucco rosettes, and delicate wrought-iron details, no longer exists. In 1969, a significant renovation replaced the marble and stucco with granite, resulting in a loss of the theatre's stylistic unity. For instance, the shape of the facade's windows was altered, deviating from the original design.

Upon entering the theatre, visitors are greeted by an impressive hall decorated with oil paintings by João Vaz, depicting classic figures representing Music, Dance, Comedy, and Literature. The names of the artists involved in the theatre's decoration are also mentioned, including Luigi Manini, the scenographer of the National Theatre of São Carlos, who contributed to the adornment of Garcia de Resende. The hall also features a medallion, commissioned by the Évora City Council, bearing the effigy of the Barahona couple, who donated the building to the municipality on August 14, 1890.

To the left of the hall is the bar, adorned with ceiling motifs reflecting its purpose, while the walls are adorned with fleur-de-lis, a recurring motif found throughout the theatre's decoration, including the main hall. On the right side, there is a door leading to the cloakroom (now the reception area). Adjacent to the side door are the box office and staircases providing access to the third tier of boxes and the gallery, representing the social hierarchy inherent in the Italian-style theatre design.

The main hall showcases Italian Baroque architecture and decoration, offering innovative solutions to challenges previously unresolved in traditional stage design. The horseshoe-shaped seating arrangement is oriented perpendicular to the stage, with the most important seating area positioned directly in front of the stage, above the horseshoe arches of Arabic inspiration. From there, the seating is organized in a hierarchical manner: the first and second-order boxes for the wealthy class, the stalls for the middle class, and the "galinheiros" (literally, "chicken coops") for the lower-class spectators. The latter entered the theatre through two side doors that still exist today, which served as service entrances.

Beyond its architectural elegance, the theatre's Italian-style layout embodies a space for seeing and being seen. The boxes provide intimate spaces for socializing, as perfectly described by Eça de Queirós in his novel "Os Maias".

Garcia de Resende Theatre in Évora stands as a testament to Portugal's rich theatrical heritage, showcasing the grandeur of its architecture and the cultural significance it holds within the region. With its historical and architectural value, the theatre remains a vibrant cultural venue, hosting various performances, and inviting visitors to step into the past while appreciating the artistic beauty of this renowned Portuguese theatre.