Teatro San Carlo

Teatro San Carlo Review

This large theater was built in 1737, 40 years earlier than Milan's La Scala—though it was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1816. You can visit the interior, decorated in the white-and-gilt stucco of the neoclassical era, as part of a 30-minute guided tour. Tours were suspended due to renovation work when we visited in early 2010, but should resume by the time this book is published. The space is made for opera on a grand scale: nearly 200 boxes are arranged on six levels, and the huge stage (12,000 square feet) permits productions with horses, camels, and elephants. A removable backdrop can be lifted to reveal the Palazzo Reale Gardens.