Address: Libertad 621 – San Nicolás
Teatro Colón is considered to be one of the world’s most important opera houses. It is an official theater that was conceived for opera of international level.
The former building was created in 1857, and was located opposite Plaza de Mayo where it stayed for three decades presenting opera performances. Said location is exactly where the main branch of Banco Nación now is.
The current building is a work by the architects Francesco Tamburini, Julio Dormal and Victor Meano; it opened in 1908 with the premiere of “Aida” by Giuseppe Verdi, when it started to be considered one of those ultimate target stages everybody wanted to set foot on. For the most renowned artists, performing in “El Colon” was a dream to fulfill, for the challenge of conquering the audience as well as the excellence of the acoustics, which earned international respect. Argentines popularly call it “El Colon” referring to their most precious “destination”, as if it were the Mecca of Success. It has received the best dancers, orchestras, conductors and singers in the world. It carries anecdotes that are always related to the power elite and the high class.
It has a permanent orchestra and a ballet, and an art department which includes a famous ballet school. It also has a library and a museum.
The building is an impressive work, with a typical eclectic style from the XIXth century, where the Italian renaissance coexists with the neo Greek one (especially noticeable in the exterior), as well as with German art; it has a Greek attic and the influence from French trends becomes noticeable in the predominant details of its design.
It offers daily guided visits that let guests learn about its history and go through the facilities; the dressing, hairdressing and stage design sections are generally the most exciting. The showroom consists of a seven-level half moon, where we can find the stalls, boxes, “tertulias”, “cazuelas”, galleries and gods respectively, starting form the lowest level and up. Its diameter is 75m long, and sits 2500 people.
All the details attest to style and distinction; examples of this are the stained glass dome in the entrance hall, the stunning marble stairs that lead to the “Golden Room” and the “Busts Room”, both magnificent and bearing great distinction.
The attendance to a performance will remain unforgettable, regardless of the genre (concert, ballet, or any of the options it offers).
The performance hall has an amazing dome by the painter Raúl Soldi (a work of art of great value that represents all the activities within theater life), a huge 7m diameter chandelier (made in France) in polished bronze that consists of 7000 small lamps and Viennese chairs covered in red velvet, which harmonize with the curtains of the same color and the silk and the details mostly in golden hues.
El Colon is, for its category and charm, suitable for top-quality performances.
