The Argentina Theatre Museum in Rome is divided into three sections:
- The first, topographical, documents the transformations of the urban area where the Theatre was built;
- The second includes remains of the ancient structure and previous decorations of the Theatre: four fragments of the oldest preserved velarium (ceiling), with cherubs and flower garlands (18th-19th centuries) are exhibited; two Pompeian-style frescoes (late 19th century); the final cartoon and five original studies for the curtain depicting the “Nymph Egeria advising Numa Pompilius”; two preparatory drawings for the curtain of the Apollo Theatre, all works by Cesare Fracassini (1838-1868), a famous Roman painter. Also of notable interest: a caricature of Nicola Zabaglia by P.L. Ghezzi (1674–1755); an ancient white fir truss from the original theatre roof; an 18th-century wooden pulley system used to raise the curtain and scenes; bas-reliefs by A. Biagini (1926), dating from Marcello Piacentini’s renovation.
- The third section’s theme is the theatre’s life, illustrated with scene costumes from “I Masnadieri,” photos of posters, drawings and portraits of singers, actors, and dancers (including the famous Fanny Essler), from the first performed opera “Berenice” (1732) to 20th-century staging.
Some of the material displayed at the Museum of the Argentina Theatre in Rome reproduces originals kept in the Burcardo Library, the Capitoline Archive, the Municipal Print Cabinet, and the Museum of Rome (Palazzo Braschi).
Finally, of particular interest is the reproduction of a painting by G. Paolo Pannini depicting the Theatre during the celebrations of the wedding of the Dauphin of France and Maria of Saxony (Paris, Louvre Museum).
The Museum’s spaces are completed by a panoramic terrace with an exclusive view of the temples in the sacred area of Largo Argentina.
