In this new column, journalist Mariela Blanco invites us to know what the Teatro Colón is like inside, the “musical palace” planned for the Centennial and the incredible story behind one of the most important lyrical houses on the planet.
The Teatro Colón is one of the most famous lyric theaters in the world, a true Argentine pride. The current headquarters was inaugurated on May 25, 1908, after leaving the house that was in front of Plaza de Mayo and that operated between 1857 and 1888 in what is currently Banco Nación.
Has a world-renowned acoustics as one of the most perfect. To all the prestige garnered by this century-old hall we must add the silent work of dozens of artisans, capable of making costumes and sets in the blink of a curtain.
Colón Theater Facade.
The architecture and ornamentation are as unmatched as the artistic bodies. In it Hallyou can see decoration in marble from Verona, Carrara and Portugal and, in the Golden Hall There are beautiful stained glass windows made in France.
Hall with the imposing Carrara marble staircase.
Upon entering the Main Room, the first thing that stands out is the dome where you can see a 16-panel oil painting by Raúl Soldi called “Allegory of music, singing and dancing.” It is a representation of theatrical life in its different aspects: musical instruments, musicians and actors in an intermission playing chess and exchanging masks.
Main Room.
The idea of painting the dome came from Manuel “Manucho” Mujica Láinez and the great Soldi donated this invaluable work.
The dome of the Main Hall.
The rhomboid lamp has an internal corridor from which special effects can be performed.
The imposing spider.
This horseshoe-shaped room meets the most severe standards of classical Italian and French theater. In addition to the stalls, there are boxes up to the third floor and then Cazuela, Tertulia, Galería and Paraíso. There is room for 2,478 people seated and 500 standing..
The seats are made of wrought iron and wood and upholstered in corduroy. In front of the stage is the box reserved for the President of the Nation.
Golden Hall.
There were three people responsible for designing the building because, as in many other cases, the tragedy was not out of the picture. Concretely, Two of the European architects who were in charge of the project died without being able to see their finished work.
One of them, they say, was murdered at the hands of his former butler when she finds him having an affair with his wife. The epic drama prevented the definitive opening of the curtain again and again.
Soldi’s signature.
It was then Julio Dormal who introduced some structural modifications and definitively left his mark on the French style of decoration and references to the Bourbon Baroque.
Colon Theater.
The Teatro Colón was finally able to be inaugurated with the presence of the President of the Republic, Dr. Figueroa Alcorta. The evening was a success, but it is worth saying that the Colón was not completed at the time of its inauguration.
Teatro Colón, year 1938.
On the outside, the facades show the Doric order, except for the main facade towards Plaza Lavalle of the Ionic and Corinthian order.
Teatro Colón 1910.
Definitely, our first coliseum constitutes a reference center for opera, dance and music throughout the world.
Teatro Colón 1930.
Photos: Courtesy of Teatro Colón Press and Mariela Blanco (@marielablancoperiodista).
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THEMES
2024-02-04 01:12:42
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