More info about Teatro Colón:

• The initial project for the Opera House was designed by architect Francesco Tamburini.
• After his death in 1891 he was succeeded by his partner, architect Victor Meano, designer of the Palace of the National Congress of Argentina.
  • Construction continued until 1894 but was delayed due to financial difficulties.
  • Meano was killed by his wife’s lover at age 454.
  • In 1904, after Meano’s death, the government appointed Belgian architect Jules Dormal to finish the construction. Dormal made some structural modifications and left his mark in the French style of the decoration.
•  It took over 20 years to construct.  The inaugural performance of “Aida” was performed in 1908.

This is one of the two lions that guard the central stair case to the Opera House.  They are made of yellow marble (from Siena)and white marble (from Carrara).

I like this sculpture of the ballerina, Norma Fontella which was in the entrance of the opera house.

Here is one of the stained glass windows that was imported from Paris.

These  floor tiles were imported from England and installed one by one.

We really enjoyed our tour of the opera house.  Here are just a few more facts:

• The main hall is horseshoe-shaped and complies with the most severe standards of classic Italian and French theatre.
  • The horseshoe is 29.25 meters wide at its narrowest point, 32.65 at its widest, and 28 meters high.
• It is surrounded by box seats up to the third story.
• It seats a total of 2,478 people, and has standing room for around 500 more.

When we left the opera house after the tour., they were having a tribute to David Bowie on the big screen outside.  We didn’t stay long, but did get to hear a bit of his music.

Our first challenge today, after getting to our hotel, was to try to find an ATM to get pesos using the debit card.   Ann and I were finally successful after going to three different banks and getting help from people who spoke both Spanish and English.

Then we went to the wonderful opera house here in Buenos Aires, Teatro Colòn, and took a tour.  The tour guide said it is the 1st in the world for Opera acoustics and the 3rd in the world for symphony acoustics.  We were able to sit in the box for the most expensive seats and also in the box that is reserved for only the president of Argentina.

The materials used on the lower floors were soft to absorb the sounds and harder materials were used on the upper floors to bounce sound.   It sure would be wonderful to actually experience hearing a performance done here.

This chandelier in the center of the opera house weighs 1.5 tons.

We were told that this circular ring around chandelier can be brought down and will hold up to 60 musicians.

Dome in Teatro del Colón

The row of chandeliers in the waiting room are stunning.

Chandeliers at Teatro del Colón

Each of these chandeliers weighs about 1/2 ton.