Top of the World
Revered by spectators and important artists, the Teatro Colón is considered one of the six best opera houses in the world, along with the Teatro San Carlo in Naples, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the Vienna Opera, the Semper Opera in Dresden and the Opera Garnier in Paris. Inaugurated on April 25, 1857, the Teatro Colón was first located near the famous Plaza de Mayo, a building that now houses the Argentine Central Bank. The current building, considered in every respect better than the previous one, opened its doors to the public on May 25, 1908 with Aida. The capacity of the Colón is also remarkable, with its 2,487 seats. The curtain weighs 700 kilograms and was made in 1936. The cavea, built with an "Italian curve", gives the theatre wonderful acoustics. According to experts, the theatre "enjoys an Italian-style resonance and French clarity". The dome, which measures six meters in diameter and weighs 4,000 kilos, was completely renovated by experts who restored the frescoes painted in the year 1966 by a famous artist: Raul Soldi.
