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Photos: Ballerinas struggle in the wake of Rio’s economic crisis

Rio de Janeiro's opulent Municipal Theatre has gone quiet this year as months of unpaid wages owing to the state’s economic crisis after hosting the Olympic Games has plunged many ballerinas and opera singers into poverty.

Updated on: Dec 23, 2017 6:27 PM IST

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Ballerinas at the Municipal Theatre ballet school prepare backstage before a rehearsal for a performance in Brazil. The theatre has gone quiet this year as months of unpaid wages emptied its calendar of major works and pushed many ballerinas and opera singers into poverty. (Ricardo Moraes / REUTERS)

Updated on Dec 23, 2017 6:27 PM

Ballerinas at the Municipal Theatre ballet school prepare backstage before a rehearsal for a performance in Brazil. The theatre has gone quiet this year as months of unpaid wages emptied its calendar of major works and pushed many ballerinas and opera singers into poverty. (Ricardo Moraes / REUTERS)

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Protest banners by artists of the Municipal Theatre protesting against the non-payment of their salaries and the economic crisis are displayed on the facade of the theatre in Rio de Janeiro. Salaries have been delayed intermittently since 2015 as Rio’s finances began to falter from a deep recession and the cost of hosting the 2016 Olympic Games. But dancers and singers say the crisis now is unprecedented in the theatres history. (Ricardo Moraes / REUTERS)

Updated on Dec 23, 2017 6:27 PM

Protest banners by artists of the Municipal Theatre protesting against the non-payment of their salaries and the economic crisis are displayed on the facade of the theatre in Rio de Janeiro. Salaries have been delayed intermittently since 2015 as Rio’s finances began to falter from a deep recession and the cost of hosting the 2016 Olympic Games. But dancers and singers say the crisis now is unprecedented in the theatres history. (Ricardo Moraes / REUTERS)

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“For an artist, to not be on the stage, to not put your work on stage is a thing that will kill us little by little,” said Deborah Ribiero, lead solo ballerina at the Municipal Theatre. Once, the gold and marble theatre located in Rio’s historic downtown had celebrated the wealth of the city when it was built at the turn of the 20th century. (Ricardo Moraes / REUTERS)

Updated on Dec 23, 2017 6:27 PM

“For an artist, to not be on the stage, to not put your work on stage is a thing that will kill us little by little,” said Deborah Ribiero, lead solo ballerina at the Municipal Theatre. Once, the gold and marble theatre located in Rio’s historic downtown had celebrated the wealth of the city when it was built at the turn of the 20th century. (Ricardo Moraes / REUTERS)

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The theatre is funded by the Rio state government, which said it is working to correct the situation. “The delay is not the result of a lack of importance the administration places on the theatre, but a lack of available cash resources,” Rio state’s finance agency told Reuters. (Ricardo Moraes / REUTERS)

Updated on Dec 23, 2017 6:27 PM

The theatre is funded by the Rio state government, which said it is working to correct the situation. “The delay is not the result of a lack of importance the administration places on the theatre, but a lack of available cash resources,” Rio state’s finance agency told Reuters. (Ricardo Moraes / REUTERS)

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A ballerina of Municipal Theatre dances during a protest of the theatre's artists against the non-payment of their salaries and the economic crisis. (Ricardo Moraes / REUTERS)

Updated on Dec 23, 2017 6:27 PM

A ballerina of Municipal Theatre dances during a protest of the theatre's artists against the non-payment of their salaries and the economic crisis. (Ricardo Moraes / REUTERS)

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Dozens of dancers continue to attend exacting rehearsals and refine their craft with each leap and pirouette. But they say insufficient sleep as they work multiple jobs and lack of money for expenses like ballet pointe shoes, physical therapy and nutrition regimens is taking its toll. (Ricardo Moraes / REUTERS)

Updated on Dec 23, 2017 6:27 PM

Dozens of dancers continue to attend exacting rehearsals and refine their craft with each leap and pirouette. But they say insufficient sleep as they work multiple jobs and lack of money for expenses like ballet pointe shoes, physical therapy and nutrition regimens is taking its toll. (Ricardo Moraes / REUTERS)

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Bruno Fernandes, 33, a member of the Municipal Theatre Ballet Corps, leaves home to go to a ballet class. "It's gotten to the point that, it's funny to say, I don't even have money for a bus ticket. I could pay my basic bills and feed myself or I could pay for the bus," said Fernandes. (Ricardo Moraes / REUTERS)

Updated on Dec 23, 2017 6:27 PM

Bruno Fernandes, 33, a member of the Municipal Theatre Ballet Corps, leaves home to go to a ballet class. "It's gotten to the point that, it's funny to say, I don't even have money for a bus ticket. I could pay my basic bills and feed myself or I could pay for the bus," said Fernandes. (Ricardo Moraes / REUTERS)

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Ballerinas of Municipal Theatre ballet school, prepare backstage before a rehearsal for their year-end performance. A first instalment of a 2.9 billion-reais loan allowed the state government to workers their unpaid 2016 year-end bonuses as well as October salaries. Another instalment expected to be released in January will go toward November salaries, the state finance agency said. (Ricardo Moraes / REUTERS)

Updated on Dec 23, 2017 6:27 PM

Ballerinas of Municipal Theatre ballet school, prepare backstage before a rehearsal for their year-end performance. A first instalment of a 2.9 billion-reais loan allowed the state government to workers their unpaid 2016 year-end bonuses as well as October salaries. Another instalment expected to be released in January will go toward November salaries, the state finance agency said. (Ricardo Moraes / REUTERS)

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The stage of Municipal Theatre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The slow artistic starvation can be as much of strain as poor finances. In the past year, the theater put on a cantata and an opera with volunteers, but none of its traditional ballet performances. (Ricardo Moraes / REUTERS)

Updated on Dec 23, 2017 6:27 PM

The stage of Municipal Theatre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The slow artistic starvation can be as much of strain as poor finances. In the past year, the theater put on a cantata and an opera with volunteers, but none of its traditional ballet performances. (Ricardo Moraes / REUTERS)

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