San Carlo Theatre of Naples

The Real Teatro di San Carlo (San Carlo Royal Theatre), know as San Carlo theatre of Naples, is a 18th century theatre.

It is one of the most ancient theatres, the first opera house in Europe. It is known as the most beautiful European theatre; besides, it is in the World Heritage List.

The theatre is in via San Carlo 98; to reach it you have to take the L1 underground train and get off at the Toledo metro stop, then walk towards piazza Trieste e Trento. Alternatively, take the L1 underground train and get off at the Municipio metro stop, walk along via Salvatore Morelli until you reach the Maschio Angioino, then take via San Carlo.

There are two bus lines that reach the San Carlo-Galleria Umberto I stop: the R2 and C25 bus lines

The prestigious San Carlo Theatre of Naples was requested by king Carlo III di Borbone in 1737, who asked the architects Medrano and Carasale to design a sumptuous and magnificent building good enough for a royal family. So, the first design of the theatre provided for 184 boxes and a royal loge, for a total of 1379 seats, and since the grand opening held in November the San Carlo Theatre  has always been hosting superb singers, artists, dancers and musicians.

The first important renovation that remodeled it giving the theatre its present look was in early 19th century by the architect and set designer Antonio Niccolini, a Neoclassicist. Since 1815 Rossini has been managing the teatro San Carlo; then, in 1822 Donizetti became the director.

Moreover, in 1812, the first School of Dance in Italy was born right within this theatre.

The San Carlo Theatre of Naples has a horseshoe plan, that for years served as a model for all the European theatres, such as the teatro della Reggia di Caserta (Reggia di Caserta Theatre) and the Teatro la Scala (La Scala Theatre) in Milano.

The theatre interiors are red and gold, the traditional colours used for the 19th century European opera houses. The ceiling was built in 1816, making the acoustics of the theatre perfect, and so it is nowadays.

The orchestra pit is still the one requested by Giuseppe Verdi in 1872. Under the proscenium arch you can see the Regno delle Due Sicilie (Kingdom of the Two Sicilies) emblem with the Bourbons badge at its centre and the inverted clock, that is a clock with the hands staying still and the dial rotating.

The beautiful royal loge has room for about ten people and it is one of the most beautiful boxes in the world, with its papier-mâché ornaments by Angelo Viva. All the other boxes have mirrors pointed towards the royal loge, once used by audience to be sure that the king was the first one to applaud.

Next to the theatre there is the MEMUS, that is the museum that recall the history of the theatre through a great collection of photos, paintings, vintage costumes and recordings. The MEMUS is open from Monday to Saturday except Wednesday, from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm. On Sunday, it is open from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm. The full price ticket is 6,00 €.