Historic Teatro Colón, overlooking Plaza de Mayo, boasts a grand and opulent design as the source of its moniker.
In the heart of Buenos Aires, the tale of the city's grand theater is as captivating as the performances it hosts. This story begins long ago, when the people's dream of having a theater befitting a world-class city seemed like a distant dream.
The Ranchería Theater, a humble shed with adobe walls, served as the city's only option for opera, music, and drama. It opened in 1783 and was attended by various social sectors, including the local elite, the lowest classes, and people of color. A fire in 1792 led to its untimely closure, leaving the people without a proper theater for decades.
In 1804, Tomás Toribio, a Spanish architect, was commissioned by the viceroy to design a theater. Construction of the "Great Coliseum" began under the hands of the skilled architect Francisco Canete, who would later build the May Pyramid. The orchestra director was the Catalan Blas Parera, who composed the melody for the city’s hymn. Nearby, a bar run by the Frenchman Raymund Aignasse offered wonderful culinary experiences, connecting the theater and the bar through a shared entrance.
The performance given on May 27, 1810, in the dilapidated state of the "Great Coliseum" was memorable. The members of the First Junta were long applauded. However, fear of accidents led to the temporary closing of the theater, and the people stayed away. From 1838, it was called the Argentine Theater and was demolished in 1872.
Despite numerous attempts, it wasn't until the enactment of the 1853 Constitution that funding became available for the construction of a new theater. A commission, led by French engineer Carlos Enrique Pellegrini, began work on the famous Hueco de las Ánimas in 1855. The building, with a covered surface area of 2,744 square meters, would become one of the most important in the city.
The construction was ambitious, featuring a horseshoe-shaped ground floor with five levels, a workshop for creating scenery, and a deep basement that stored ice to cool the room. Almost all the materials were brought from Europe, and large water tanks were included for fire prevention. The theater's lighting was powered by gas.
The inauguration was on April 25, 1857, with "La traviata" by Verdi, performed by the lyrical company of entrepreneur Achille Lorini. The performances started at 8:00 PM, with small numbers performed during intermissions to entertain the audience.
From this first Colón, hundreds of figures emerged, making history and leaving their mark on the cultural landscape of Buenos Aires. However, over time, the theater's star began to fade, and it closed its doors on September 13, 1888, to make way for a modern hall with the latest advances. The current Teatro Colón, inaugurated in 1908, stands as a testament to the city's dedication to the arts. Today, it remains one of the ten best opera houses globally, known for its exceptional acoustics and architectural elegance.
In 1853, the enactment of the Constitution paved the way for the construction of a new grand theater, overcoming financial hurdles. The famous Hueco de las Ánimas, designed by French engineer Carlos Enrique Pellegrini, was started in 1855, boasting a horseshoe-shaped ground floor, a workshop for creating scenery, and a basement for storing ice. The inaugural performance in 1857 was Giuseppe Verdi's "La traviata," showcasing the theater's success in entertaining the lifestyle of Buenos Aires.
The home-and-garden life of Buenos Aires residents during this era was marked by the opening of the magnificent Teatro Colón, providing an excellent venue for opera, music, and drama, mirroring the vibrant lifestyles of its patrons. As the years passed, the storied Colón Theater, opened in 1857, hosted numerous figures, shaping the city's tradition in arts and culture until its closure in 1888, giving way to a modern hall with the latest advancements.
The current Teatro Colón, inaugurated in 1908, stands as a testament to the city's steadfast dedication to the arts, echoing the original dream of the people in 1783 to have a theater befitting a world-class city. Today, the theater continues to entertain audiences from all walks of life, just as the original Ranchería Theater did, with performances that speak volumes about the city's history and cultural identity.
Under the watchful gaze of a government that values arts and culture, the Teatro Colón of Buenos Aires stands as a beacon of elegance and exceptional acoustics, drawing visitors from around the world to an unforgettable experience of passionate performances and timeless artistic excellence, reminiscent of the early spirit of Verdi carried over from 1838.
