The exterior of the Justice Palace, Buenos Aires, Argentina
We were fortunate to have a great city guide with good connections who was able to book us a private, behind the scenes tour of the Teatro Colón (Columbus Theatre, the main opera house) in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The main entrance lobby and grand staircase of Teatro Colón (Columbus Theatre, the main opera house), Buenos Aires, Argentina
Teatro Colón is ranked the third best opera house in the world by National Geographic and is regarded acoustically as one of the five best concert venues in the world. The interior of the opera house is resplendent, with every marble tile, all of the furniture, crystal and plush details imported from Europe.
The entry hall to the seating areas of the main hall of Teatro Colón (Columbus Theatre, the main opera house), Buenos Aires, Argentina
The beautiful marble sculpture in the entry hall to the seating areas of the main hall of Teatro Colón (Columbus Theatre, the main opera house), Buenos Aires, Argentina
Salón Dorado (The Golden Room) of Teatro Colón (Columbus Theatre, the main opera house), Buenos Aires, Argentina
The theatre took 20 years to complete and opened in 1908, replacing the original theater that had opened in 1857. It combines many European architectural styles and influences including Greek columns, French stained glass and Italian
Ceiling detail from Salón Dorado (The Golden Room) of Teatro Colón (Columbus Theatre, the main opera house), Buenos Aires, Argentina
Stained glass wall painting at the end of Salón Dorado (The Golden Room) of Teatro Colón (Columbus Theatre, the main opera house), Buenos Aires, Argentina
Ceiling detail and moulding in Salón Dorado (The Golden Room) of Teatro Colón (Columbus Theatre, the main opera house), Buenos Aires, Argentina
Stunning stained glass cupola above the main entrance lobby and grand staircase of Teatro Colón (Columbus Theatre, the main opera house), Buenos Aires, Argentina
The main hall can seat up to 2,500 people and the Teatro Colón has hosted such dignitaries as Luciano Pavarotti, Maria Callas and Placido Domingo. Apart from being one of the most important opera houses in the world, it can also brag that Arturo Toscanini thought it to have the best acoustics he had ever heard. The opera house closed at the end of December 2006 for a planned 18-month, $25 million renovation that blossomed into a three-year, $100 million project. The opera house today is gorgeous and continues to serve as one of the leading opera houses in the world.
The horseshoe shaped main hall with a 65 foot (20 m) wide stage at Teatro Colón (Columbus Theatre, the main opera house), Buenos Aires, Argentina
Where in the world is Riccardo? 