Teatro Argentina
Teatro Argentina is one of Rome's oldest and most prestigious theatres. Inaugurated in 1732, it is still today a vibrant centre of theatrical life in the capital.
Façade of Teatro Argentina
History and Origins
Teatro Argentina was built in 1731–1732 on commission for the Sforza Cesarini family, to designs by the architect Girolamo Theodoli. The name "Argentina" derives from the corruption of "Argentoratum", the old Latin name of Strasbourg, the home town of the Cesarini family, which owned the adjoining palace.
The building stands beside the Sacred Area of Largo Argentina, in a district whose history reaches back to the Roman Republic. The theatre was inaugurated on 13 January 1732 with a performance of Domenico Sarro's "Berenice".
Over the centuries, Teatro Argentina has hosted major world premieres – including Rossini's "The Barber of Seville" in 1816 – and has seen on its stage some of the greatest artists in Italian and international theatre history.
Teatro Argentina is one of the most beautiful theatres in Europe, an architectural and acoustic jewel that has kept its charm intact through the centuries.
Historical Timeline of Teatro Argentina
1732
Inauguration of Teatro Argentina with Domenico Sarro's "Berenice"
1816
World premiere of Rossini's "The Barber of Seville" – at first booed, later hailed as one of the masterpieces of opera buffa
1849
During the Roman Republic, the theatre hosts the Constituent Assembly
1871
The theatre is acquired by the City of Rome
1926–1930
Major restoration and modernisation works
1994
Teatro Argentina becomes the home of Teatro di Roma, the city's public theatre institution
2014
Most recent major restoration, returning the theatre to its former splendour
Architecture and Interior
Teatro Argentina is a classic example of an Italian-style opera house, with the characteristic horseshoe plan. The main hall seats around 800 spectators, distributed between the stalls, six tiers of boxes and the gallery.
The interior decoration is neoclassical, dominated by red and gold. The ceiling is decorated with a fresco of Apollo and the Muses by Domenico De Angelis.
The sober, elegant façade features a three-arched portico and a central balcony. The building sits harmoniously within the urban fabric of Rome's historic centre.
Interior of Teatro Argentina
The Barber of Seville
On 20 February 1816 Teatro Argentina hosted the world premiere of Rossini's "The Barber of Seville". The first night was a notorious fiasco, with whistles and protests – partly stoked by supporters of Giovanni Paisiello, who had already written an opera on the same subject.
From the very second night, however, the opera was received with enthusiasm and quickly became one of the best-loved and most performed masterpieces of Italian opera buffa. "The Barber of Seville" is now regarded as Rossini's greatest work and one of the most important operas in music history.
Photo Gallery
Visiting information
Address:
Largo di Torre Argentina, 52
00186 Roma RM
Contacts:
Phone: +39 06 684000311
Email: info@teatrodiroma.net
Website: www.teatrodiroma.net
How to get there:
Autobus: linee 30, 40, 46, 62, 64, 70, 81, 87, 492, 628
Tram: linea 8
Metro: linea B (fermata Colosseo, poi 15 minuti a piedi)
Guided tours:
Guided tours of the theatre are available by reservation.
For information and bookings: visite@teatrodiroma.net