TEATRO COLÓN

A Century of Elegance

December 2022

On a momentous day, May 25, 1908, the majestic Teatro Colón opened its grand doors with a performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s opera, Aida. With over a century of history, this monumental structure has stood as a witness to countless awe-inspiring interpretations by opera’s most illustrious artists.

The theater’s construction spanned two decades, culminating in its completion. Originally, the dome of the main hall boasted a painted masterpiece by French artist Marcel Jambon. This artwork depicted the god Apollo in a chariot pulled by four white steeds. However, the painting faded by the 1930s, leading to its reimagining in the mid-1960s. Argentine artist Raúl Soldi undertook the task of redecorating the dome. His creation, comprising sixteen canvases covering a vast 320 square meters, was initially crafted on the 11th floor of the San Martín Theater before being carefully elevated to grace the Colón dome atop a towering 30-meter scaffold. Notably, the inaugural performance was Giuseppe Verdi’s “Aida.” Strikingly, the opera was intentionally presented as a disaster, following the superstition that a successful theater opening could invite bad luck. The performance was carried out by nonprofessionals and deliberately designed to be subpar.

Former Argentinian President Marcelo T. de Alvear played a pivotal role in enforcing punctuality at Teatro Colón. Allegedly a devoted theatergoer, Alvear took offense at the lack of punctuality among the audience until 1926. His solution was to use binoculars to peer at latecomers, a practice that others in the audience soon adopted, effectively curbing tardiness and transforming the habit of the attendees.

Throughout its storied history, Teatro Colón has hosted a myriad of legendary artists, such as Luciano Pavarotti’s iconic 1987 rendition of La Bohème, Martha Argerich’s captivating performance in 1969, and José Carreras’ mesmerizing appearance in La Traviata in 1973. The theater also witnessed notable events including the 1965 concert of Chilean pianist Claudio Arrau with the National Symphony Orchestra, the 1968 production of Carmen featuring the exceptional voices of Grace Bumbry and Jon Vickers, and Monserrat Caballé’s debut in the opera Turandot in 1965. The Spanish tenor Alfredo Kraus marked his entrance onto the world stage with the opera La Favorita in 1967.

Between 2003 and 2010, Teatro Colón underwent a meticulous restoration, necessitating the efforts of 1,500 individuals and a budget of $340 million. Preserving its renowned acoustics posed a particular challenge, with measures taken to ensure its integrity. Prior to the theater’s reopening on May 13, 2010, a private event was held to confirm the acoustics remained pristine, a triumph that affirmed the success of the restoration project.

Following a nearly year-long closure due to the global pandemic, Teatro Colón witnessed an extraordinary moment on January 30, 2021. In an unprecedented move, one of the world’s foremost opera houses transformed into a support hub for the healthcare system, joining the battle against the pandemic. It is our sincere hope that this magnificent venue will swiftly regain its esteemed position in the classical music realm, once again gracing the world’s stage with phenomenal operatic performances featuring the finest international talents.