“The Teatro Colón (Colón Theatre) in Buenos Aires is one of the most important opera houses in the world. Its rich and prestigious history and its exceptional acoustics and architectural features rank it among theatres such as Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the Paris Opera House, the Vienna State Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.” (Teatro Colon website)
The second architect, Vittorio Meano, who took over after his predecessor died, described the building as having “characteristics of the Italian Renaissance, the proper planning of German architecture and the charm and variety of French architecture.”
Steps from the Obelisco, the Teatro Colón is in the heart of the city and boasts an impressive, though eclectic, architecture due to the influence of multiple architects working in different periods. None the less, the various styles work in harmony, as do the renowned acoustics of the main hall.
“characteristics of the Italian Renaissance, the proper planning of German architecture and the charm and variety of French architecture.”
The current building (the second with this name) was finished on May 25th, 1908 and opened with a production of Aida, the first of 17 operas performed in the inaugural season.
Visitors today can enjoy the results of the recent (2010) massive phased remodeling of both the interior and exterior. Started in 2005, and again in 2006 after a delay, the cost was originally estimated to be $25 million, it doubled in time and ended up costing over $100 million. But the results speak for themselves!
Of special note is the Golden Room, an opulent lounge reminiscent of European palaces, where well-to-do patrons were able to see and be seen, before and after performances. You’ll have no difficulty determining how it got its name. Also not to be missed is the amazing Parisian stained glass, and various imported marbles.
My guided tour, hosted by a energetic and engaging docent, led us through the entrance hall, several galleries, the main hall and the Golden Room. Unfortunately, though we were told about the impressive backstage scale and operations, our tour did not include these areas. I have read past reviews by others who have taken such tours, but they were not offered when I was there.
There is also a very nice cafe in the theater, if you’d like to sit for a while before or after the tour.
Take the tour. You can see a lot from outside and the inner hall with the cafe, but you’ll be missing the best the theater has to offer.
Why go?
- This is a world class theater. There aren’t that many of them.
- If your interests lie with architecture, music, ballet, performance, or you just have some extra time and want to spend it enjoying a beautiful building, you should take the time (and a little money) to take a guided tour.
What you need to know:
- You can’t wander around inside the theater. To see the inside, you have to purchase a ticket for a performance, or take a guided tour.
- The cost of the tours: $650 ARS
- Tour schedule: Daily between 9a and 5p
- Tour duration: about 50 minutes
- Maximum tour size: 34 visitors
- Language: tours are EITHER English or Spanish (Check when booking)
- Book online
- Photography is allowed throughout the theater (without flash)
- The theater can hold over 2,400 spectators and has standing room for 1,000 more.
- The Golden Hall was modeled after Versailles, with walls painted in 24-carat gold leaf.
Teatro Colón - The opera house
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Teatro Colón
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
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The Teatro Colón (Colón Theatre) in Buenos Aires is one of the most important opera houses in the world. Its rich and prestigious history and its exceptional acoustics and architectural features rank it among theatres such as Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the Paris Opera House, the Vienna State Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.
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This picture is posted on Instagram as a way to include it in my travel blog. Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
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Picture taken: 1/2019
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#TeatroColón #TeatroColon #ColónTheatre #ColonTheatre #buenosaires #buesnosairesargentina #argentina #worldclassopera #operahouse #opera
Teatro Colón - Golden Hall
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Teatro Colón
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
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A private lounge for the well-to-do, to see and be seen.
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This picture is posted on Instagram as a way to include it in my travel blog. Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
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Picture taken: 1/2019
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#TeatroColón #TeatroColon #ColónTheatre #ColonTheatre #goldenhall #buenosaires #buesnosairesargentina #argentina #worldclassopera #operahouse #opera
Cupid is telling Venus a secret
Teatro Colón - Hall of Busts (Salon de Bustos)
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Teatro Colón
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
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In this statue, cupid is telling Venus a secret.
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This picture is posted on Instagram as a way to include it in my travel blog. Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
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Picture taken: 1/2019
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#TeatroColón #TeatroColon #ColónTheatre #ColonTheatre #hallofbusts #salondebustos #buenosaires #buesnosairesargentina #argentina #worldclassopera #operahouse #opera
Teatro Colón - Stained glass
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Teatro Colón
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Another stained glass work of art, commissioned from Paris.
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This picture is posted on Instagram as a way to include it in my travel blog. Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
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Picture taken: 1/2019
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#TeatroColón #TeatroColon #ColónTheatre #ColonTheatre #hallofbusts #salondebustos #buenosaires #buesnosairesargentina #argentina #worldclassopera #operahouse #opera
Stained glass ceiling of the hall of busts
Teatro Colón - Hall of Busts (Salon de Bustos)
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Teatro Colón
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Stained glass imported from Paris.
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This picture is posted on Instagram as a way to include it in my travel blog. Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
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Picture taken: 1/2019
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#TeatroColón #TeatroColon #ColónTheatre #ColonTheatre #hallofbusts #salondebustos #buenosaires #buesnosairesargentina #argentina #worldclassopera #operahouse #opera
Teatro Colón - Parisian stained glass
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Teatro Colón
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
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The Teatro Colón (Colón Theatre) in Buenos Aires is one of the most important opera houses in the world. Its rich and prestigious history and its exceptional acoustics and architectural features rank it among theatres such as Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the Paris Opera House, the Vienna State Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.
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This picture is posted on Instagram as a way to include it in my travel blog. Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
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Picture taken: 1/2019
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#TeatroColón #TeatroColon #ColónTheatre #ColonTheatre #buenosaires #buesnosairesargentina #argentina #worldclassopera #operahouse #opera
Teatro Colón - The grand stairway
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Teatro Colón
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Note the Italian and Portuguese marble and the highly detailed carving!
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This picture is posted on Instagram as a way to include it in my travel blog. Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
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Picture taken: 1/2019
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#TeatroColón #TeatroColon #ColónTheatre #ColonTheatre #buenosaires #buesnosairesargentina #argentina #worldclassopera #operahouse #opera #italianmarble
Teatro Colón - Entrance Lobby
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Teatro Colón
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
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The imported marble, interesting blends of architectural styles and almost pristine shape (it was recently refurbished) make this a grand building.
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This picture is posted on Instagram as a way to include it in my travel blog. Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
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Picture taken: 1/2019
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#TeatroColón #TeatroColon #ColónTheatre #ColonTheatre #buenosaires #buesnosairesargentina #argentina #worldclassopera #operahouse #opera
Teatro Colón from outside
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Teatro Colón
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
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The Teatro Colón (Colón Theatre) in Buenos Aires is one of the most important opera houses in the world. Its rich and prestigious history and its exceptional acoustics and architectural features rank it among theatres such as Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the Paris Opera House, the Vienna State Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.
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This picture is posted on Instagram as a way to include it in my travel blog. Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
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Picture taken: 1/2019
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#TeatroColón #TeatroColon #ColónTheatre #ColonTheatre #buenosaires #buesnosairesargentina #argentina #worldclassopera #operahouse #opera
Teatro Colón from outside
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Teatro Colón
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
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The Teatro Colón (Colón Theatre) in Buenos Aires is one of the most important opera houses in the world. Its rich and prestigious history and its exceptional acoustics and architectural features rank it among theatres such as Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the Paris Opera House, the Vienna State Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.
.
This picture is posted on Instagram as a way to include it in my travel blog. Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
.
Picture taken: 1/2019
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#TeatroColón #TeatroColon #ColónTheatre #ColonTheatre #buenosaires #buesnosairesargentina #argentina #worldclassopera #operahouse #opera
