Teatro San Carlo

[london1967]

On Saturday afternoon we visited the Teatro San Carlo on a guided tour


Waiting for the tour to start...



There were only another 2 people plus the guide of course, who was really good. She was informative and full of anecdotes, and fun. And did the tour in English too for Adrian.

The San Carlo is the oldest opera house in Europe, older than La Fenice, La Scala and Covent Garden she said. 
And it is really beautiful too.


The ceiling is in fact a huge canvas, that hides a resonance chamber.


This is the royal box with the coat of arms of the Savoy family which replaced the Bourbons' when Italy was unified in 1861.

But the Bourbons' coat of arms is back high over the stage. In the 1980 earthquake, the Savoy coat of arms fell down and they found the old one underneath.




Now it's all red but apparently in the past it was blue - the colour of the royals.
The orchestra pit was raised because of a concert in the evening; the stage is behind that curtain and it is massive, deeper than the stalls!

Chandeliers and mirrors in the foyer

Comments

[maxauburn.livejournal.com]

Wow... beautiful!

[london1967.livejournal.com]

Yes it was!

[dan4behr.livejournal.com]

That's an amazing, impressive place. I wasn't familiar with it prior to your posting. Thanks for making me aware of it - and putting another to-do on my list!

[london1967.livejournal.com]

My pleasure. I am glad you enjoyed the photos/post.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

What a magnificent building! I was particularly drawn to the costumes portrayed in the second photo. That white gown is astonishing! The last photo of the chandelier makes me think of "The Phantom of the Opera":) Thanks for sharing the tour photos!

[london1967.livejournal.com]

Yes the costumes were amazing!
My pleasure - I am glad you enjoyed the photos.

[dorisduke.livejournal.com]

It just amazes me that such places exist considering when they were built. Today square boxes are applauded.

[london1967.livejournal.com]

Well the interior was rebuilt in the early 1800s (and restored since then) but luckily the theatre wasn't flattened during the war.

[bobalone.livejournal.com]

Another fascinating place I haven't visited. Looks lovely.

[london1967.livejournal.com]

It was great to see it!