Located on Plaza de Mayo, a privileged location in Buenos Aires, the Colón Theatre was designed by architects Francesco Tamburini, Vittorio Meano, and Jules Dormal. The building was the first iron-frame structure in Buenos Aires. Henrik Dolle/Shutterstock
Considered one of the best opera houses in the world for its exceptional acoustics, the Colón Theatre is named after explorer Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón in Spain) and features eclectic architectural elements and breathtaking decorations.
Located in Buenos Aires, the opera house dates back to the 19th century, when Argentina wanted to build a European-style opera house in its capital as a symbol of refinement. Three successive European architects designed the theater and supervised its construction over 20 years. The inauguration took place in 1908, with the opera “Aida” by Giuseppe Verdi.
Behind its striking facade, the theater hosts majestic interiors, inspired by the Garnier Opera in Paris. Every corner of the Colón Theatre is decorated with fine attention to detail, and everything is made to ensure the highest quality of acoustics possible. While there is not one defined style, the theater combines eclectic elements from the Italian and French classic styles, blending symmetry, grace, and beauty. The main theater space is designed in the classic horseshoe shape of Italian opera houses, with the dimensions of French opera houses.
The theater underwent some restoration and renovation in 2010. Today, the Colón Theatre ranks in importance with Milan’s La Scala, the Paris Opera, the Vienna State Opera, and London’s Royal Opera House.
The facade of the Colón Theatre features three stories with a modern iron canopy. Surrounding the canopy are elements of the Italian Renaissance and the Greek revival styles, including the Corinthian columns framing the Doric arches, and the moldings above. Elements of classic French architecture are the stone facade and the overall symmetry of the building. Despite this eclecticism, the facade still forms a harmonious ensemble. Anibal Trejo/Shutterstock
The main doors open up to an impressive foyer. The vast entrance hall is lined with Verona marble and faux marble on stucco, framed by Corinthian columns and round arches. At the top, visitors can admire the stained-glass dome ceiling and windows imported from France, depicting Apollo’s muses playing musical instruments and dancing. The most impressive element of the foyer is the main staircase leading to the first floor, made of white Carrara marble with railings of Portuguese marble. At the time, going to the opera was a social occasion, and the staircase allowed people to meet and be seen by others. T Photograph/Shutterstock
The Golden Hall is located on the first floor of the Colón Theatre. The magnificent columns and chandeliers are inspired by the great halls of the palace at Versailles and the Schönbrunn Palace. On each side of the walls, pilasters are carved and decorated in a delicate 22-karat gold gilding. Edi Libedenski/Shutterstock
The Hall of Busts is another highlight of the Colón Theatre. As the name indicates, it is a small hall with sculptural figures of famous composers. At the top of this arch is the bust of French composer Charles Gounod, supported by the columns and pilasters in fake Botticino marble. Javier Catano Gonzalez/Shutterstock
With its Italian horseshoe shape, the main auditorium has more than 2,400 seats over 7 levels, with open boxes in the French style on the sides and red velvet seats on the first floor, opposite the gilded stage. The stage highlights decorations and stage designs, most of which are produced in the theater’s local workshop. The hall features incredible acoustics, rendered possible by the proportions of the room, which turn the auditorium into an echo chamber. mdm7807/Shutterstock
The dome of the main auditorium is another work of art. Painted by Raúl Soldi, one of the most important Argentine painters of the day, it represents musicians playing instruments and actors wearing masks. The hand-painted pastel dome also holds a magnificent bronze chandelier that hangs from its center. Along the dome is a corridor where musicians can play their instruments without being seen, generating special sound effects. Alexandr Vorobev/Shutterstock
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Ariane Triebswetter
Author
Ariane Triebswetter is an international freelance journalist, with a background in modern literature and classical music.
