Music in the urban Amazon: a historical ethnography of the Manaus opera house

The Teatro Amazonas, an iconic opera house in Manaus, Brazil, has evolved from an ephemeral status symbol to a catalyst for diverse local musics and negotiations of Amazonian geographies. This historical ethnography challenges the narrative of the Amazon as static, instead illustrating its dynamic relationship with human culture over time. The study examines key moments from 1850 to 2017, revealing how opera in Amazonia transitioned from a symbol of progress to a stimulus for local musical traditions. By analyzing the Teatro's archive and its urban and rainforest surroundings, the research demonstrates its role as a potent site for redefining Amazonian identities amidst global conservation discourse.

McMahon, R. (2019). Music in the urban Amazon: a historical ethnography of the Manaus opera house [University of Oxford]. https://doi.org/10.5287/ORA-9OZAGYQRP