This work deals with a strange event that took place in the city of Sمo Paulo in the twenties of the 20th century: the staging of Paulo Setْbals play, Um sarau no paço de Sمo Cristَvمo, at the Municipal Theatre, with members of Sمo Paulos elite as actors, in a clear tribute to the birthday of Brazils first empress, Maria Leopoldina. proposed for two shows in December 1926, it ended up attracting audiences for four performances, all at popular prices and with the support of the Sociedade de Cultura Artيstica. What did the republican elite that overthrew the empire want?