In Naples, next to the Piazza Plebiscite, there is one of the symbols of the city, the magnificent and proud opera house "San Carlo" (Real Teatro Di S.Carlo). It is the oldest in Europe, in particular, 41 years older than the famous La Scala in Milan and 55 years older than La Fenice in Venice. Neapolitans are very proud of their theater. Its traditions remain unchanged even after almost three hundred years, and only bright stars appear on the stage. I will tell you what is special about this theater, where to watch its repertoire and how to attend the performance.
The San Carlo Theater was built by order of Charles III de Bourbon, King of Naples and Sicily, who wanted Naples to have a new, larger theater, instead of the old, rather worn-out Teatro San Bartolomeo, built in 1621. "San Carlo" was built according to the design of the architect Giovanni Antonio Medrano. Architect Angelo Carasale connected the theater with the royal palace with a closed gallery to make it easier for the monarch to get from the theater box to his apartments. The theater opened on November 4, 1737, the king's birthday. The interior of the new theater was designed in blue and gold colors (the official colors of the Bourbons) and charmed everyone with its architecture. The audience hall had 5 tiers and a large royal box. The first opera performed on the San Carlo stage was Achilles on Skyros by Domenico Saro. In 1816, the theater building was destroyed by fire, but in just 9 months it was rebuilt according to the design of the architect Antonio Nicolini, and on January 12, 1817, the new San Carlo opened with the opera “The Dream of Partenope” by Johann Simon Mayr. It was also attended by the famous French writer Stendhal, who did not spare words of praise for the theater.
The theater underwent major renovations in 1844 when the interior was changed to red and gold, in 1890 when an orchestra pit was added, and then when the theater was electrified. In 2007-2008, the seats were completely replaced, the air conditioning system was removed and all decorative reliefs were gilded. Currently, the auditorium seats 1,386 people.
The Teatro San Carlo has only missed one full season in its long history, despite planned or unscheduled renovations and renovations. For example, in 1816, when a fire broke out, in 1943, when the theater was damaged by bombing, in 1969, when lightning destroyed part of the facade.
Only the best masters worked on the San Carlo stage - composers, musicians, vocalists and conductors. Operas by Gioachino Rossini, Gaetano Donizetti, Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, Ruggero Leoncavello and other famous composers were staged here. Among the vocalists I will highlight Enrico Caruso, Maria Callas, Mario del Monaco, Franco Corelli, Montserrat Caballe, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and others, among the conductors - Arturo Toscanini, Igor Stravinsky, Gabriel Santini, Claudio Abbado and others.
This is what the theater hall looks like:
In 2011, a museum and archive of historical documents MeMuS was opened next to the theater. On almost 300 square meters there is a 3D gallery, a conference room for 50 people and a bookstore where you can buy books about the theater, concert audio and video CDs.
Theater address: Via San Carlo 98/F.
To get there, you can take bus №R2, R3, 82 - stop San Carlo, №R4 - stop Medina; first metro line - stop Toledo.
The theater is open for tours every day, MeMuS is closed on Wednesdays.
Ticket price for a 30-minute excursion is: 9 euros, for persons under 30 and over 60 years old - 7 euros, for a family (2 adults + 2 teenagers under 18 years old) - 26 euros, entrance to MeMuS - 6 euros.
Ticket prices for the performance are 20-500 euros.
For more information, visit the official website: https://www.teatrosancarlo.it/.
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