Teatro Colón (Colón Theatre) is an opera house located on 9 de Julio Avenue, the most famous boulevard in Buenos Aires, very close to the Obelisk. The building is beautiful inside and out and reflects Argentina’s golden age.
According to experts, the Opera Hall has one of the best acoustics in the world along with Der Grosse Musikvereinsaal in Vienna (Austria), Symphony Hall in Boston (US), Konzerthaus in Berlin (Germany), and Concertgebouw in Amsterdam (Holland).
Currently, it is Buenos Aires’ main attraction according to Tripadvisor. The Opera House has also got a Certificate of Excellence award.
- In 2014, Fuerza Bruta was considered the main attraction in Buenos Aires. It remains an excellent activity to do there.
At first, the Opera House was located in another building (1857-1888). The current building opened on May 25, 1908, but it took almost 20 years for it to be completed. The theater recently underwent a restoration and was reopened in 2010.
- At the time of the inauguration, Argentina celebrated almost 100 years of independence with a flourishing agro-export economy, with an influx of diverse immigrants, trade links with the former British Empire, and a cultural relationship with Europe, especially with France (source: Lorenz, Federico. Argentina Between two centenaries in Histories of Nations – how their identities were forged). Until the 1950s, Argentina was a developed country with a high per capita income. After the rise of Peronism, Argentina started to have the same problems as other Latin American countries.
Teatro Colón hosts various types of performances such as Opera, Ballet, and Buenos Aires Symphony Orchestra. Singers like Plácido Domingo and Dancers like Rudolf Nureyev have already performed in the Opera Hall, demonstrating how important is the venue.
To visit the interior of the theatre, you can attend a performance or a rehearsal or, as we did, take a guided tour.
Guided Tours
I visited Buenos Aires on several occasions, but only last year I was able to visit the beautiful Teatro Colón. It’s a must-see!
The theater is open to visitors from Monday to Sunday, from 9 am to 5 pm. The guided tours start every 15 minutes and last 50 minutes.
- Hint: when there are free performances at 11 am, guided tours will be suspended between 10 am and 1:30 pm. If there are evening performances, the last tour will take place at 3 pm.
You can purchase tickets online or at the Theatre’s ticket office. I purchased my tickets on the spot. The entrance is made through a side door (Calle Tucumán). On some days, tickets for visitors may be sold out, so it may be better to buy in advance.
Tours can be made in English or Spanish. The ticket price for general admission is 1,400 argentine pesos.
- Hint: if you visit the theater from 9 am to 11 am and from 3:30 pm to 5 pm, you can purchase discounted tickets (1,120 ARS – general admission).
The friendliness of the staff stands out. Both the receptionists and guides are extremely helpful and nice.
Visit Route
In the guided tour, tourists visit three compartments of the theater: The Foyer, the Golden Hall, and the Main Hall.
In French, the foyer is where the audience gathers before entering the auditorium. In Teatro Colón, the entrance hall has a beautiful staircase with marbles of different colors and is adorned with French stained glass. At the end of the visit, the guide will take your picture on this ladder so that you can have a beautiful memory.
The Golden Hall is the location for concerts, conferences, and exhibitions parallel to the activity of the main room.
The Main Hall is the highlight of the visit. Horseshoe-shaped, it contains boxes on three floors. The auditorium is impressive. There are 2,470 seats and there is still space for more 500 people standing.
The 318-square-meter dome is eye-catching. It was painted by the Frenchman Marcel Jambon and later restored by the Argentine Raul Soldi. The chandeliers on the ceiling also stand out.
When visiting the auditorium, don’t forget to enjoy the local acoustics and to admire the details of the Main Hall.
The next time you’re in Buenos Aires, make sure to visit the beautiful Teatro Colón. If possible, attend a performance. It’s an opportunity to get to know the golden age of Argentina. For more information on Teatro Colón, click here.
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