English
Domenico Costanzi was the architect of the creation in 1880 of the prestigious theater dedicated to opera and ballet. The dream of this businessman, who arrived in Rome in 1870, was to give the capital a venue that would live up to its category and international prestige of the Italian lyric tradition. To achieve this he invested part of his personal fortune in the project, which was commissioned by the architect Achille Sfrondini, a specialist in the construction and restoration of theaters.
Built ina record time of 18 months, it could accommodate over 2000 spectators and had three levels of boxes, an amphitheater and an art gallery, all crowned by a dome with exquisite frescoes by Brugnoli. The opera “Semiramide” by Rossini, was chosen for its opening, being attended by the king Umberto I and his wife the Queen Margherita
Since then it has undergone several reforms, name changes and countless managers as well as it has received prestigious artists and performances. Now it is called the Opera House which in its 131 years, has written many memorable pages of musical theater, opera and dance shows. Herbert von Karajan, Enrico Caruso, Rostropovich, Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Maria Callas, are only a small part of the illustrious characters who have left their footprints in the Costanzi.
It currently has 2200 locations and an exquisite programming. In addition to the orchestra,it has its own ballet company and dance school, as well as a very popular yearly dance season.
Since 1937, with the arrival of summer and the end of the winter season, the Opera performs an outdoor programming in the archaeological complex of the Baths of Caracalla, one of the largest baths in ancient Rome . An idyllic setting for its performances, which enjoys great public assistance and should not be missed when visiting the city in July or August.
Next to the Bocca della Verita (Mouth of Truth), visited very frequently by tourists, in Via dei Cerchi, an unnoticed door takes you across a courtyard and leads you to the Pantanella old pasta factory, an industrial building whose charm is multiplied for its proximity to the roman ruins. Here you find the tailor shop of the theater from the 30´s. A place where its stage sets are kept along with sixty thousand costumes that have been worn by the greatest artists of the opera and ballet in their representations. This tailor shop has also worked with the world´s most important theaters such as La Scala and the Metropolitan in New York, and enjoys great recognition for the handmade manufacturing all the costumes.
Some of the shows scheduled for January and February 2012 are “Candide,” a comic operetta in two acts, based on Voltaire´s satirical novel, “Coppelia” and “Madame Butterfly” by Puccini. You can read details about schedules and prices on the website of the theater where you can also http://www.operaroma.it/ buy tickets in advance.
Address: Piazza Beniamino Gigli 7, 00184, Rome
Metro: Line A Repubblica stop Opera House
A night of opera at the Teatro Costanzi is something you should not miss. Rent now one of our apartments in Rome and enjoy a magical day, in addition to the many delights offered by the Eternal City.
Translated by: Marc