NEWS IN ENGLISH – Obama’s Rio speech will be for a selected audience at the city’s Municipal Theater

allen — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 11:53:12 +0000

Vitor Abdala Reporter Agência Brasil
Rio de Janeiro – Instead of an outdoor speech to thousands in one of the city’s most famous plazas, Barack Obama’s security team and Rio de Janeiro authorities have decided on a speech at the Municipal Theater. Yesterday they sat down together and reworked out the policing and traffic arrangements.

Brazilian army general, Fernando Sardenberg, one of the officials in charge of security, told reporters he did not know what the reason was for the change. “As far as I am concerned, there was no threat [to having the speech in Cinelândia where some 35,000 people were expected].

The Rio de Janeiro “Teatro Municipal” is modeled after the Paris Opera building. Its construction was part of a vast urban modernization program in Rio at the beginning of the 20th century. Construction began in 1905 and the theater was inaugurated on July 14, 1909. It is elaborately decorated with works by many famous international artists. It seats over 2,200.

Allen Bennett – translator/editor The News in English
Link - Obama discursará para convidados no Theatro Municipal

security arrangements

NEWS IN ENGLISH – Obama’s Rio speech will be for a selected audience at the city’s Municipal Theater