View over Brasilia with the splayed, glazed roof of the foyer of the National Theatre Claudio Santoro in the centre

NOTES: The city of Brasilia was planned and developed in 1956 with Lucio Costa as chief urban planner and Oscar Niemeyer as principal architect. It formally became the capital of Brazil in 1960 and is the seat of all three branches of the Brazilian government. Construction on this theatre began in 1958 and after many changes and interruptions was officially opened in 1981. Originally built to house art exhibits, it has three auditoria to hold music concerts.