Il 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 putti and flower garlands (18th-19th century); two mural paintings in the Pompeian style (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 drum for raising the curtain and scenes; bas-reliefs by A. Biagini (1926), dating to the remodeling by Marcello Piacentini.
- The topic of the third section is theatre life, illustrated with stage costumes from “The Robbers,” photos of posters, drawings, and portraits of singers, actors, and dancers (including the famous Fanny Essler), from the first opera performed “Berenice” (1732), to 20th-century stage productions.
Part of the material displayed in the Museum of the Argentina Theatre in Rome reproduces the originals kept at the Biblioteca del Burcardo, the Capitol Archive, the Municipal Print Cabinet, and the Museum of Rome (Palazzo Braschi).
Finally, of particular interest, the reproduction of the 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).
Completing the Museum’s spaces is a panoramic terrace with an exclusive view of the temples in the sacred area of Largo Argentina.
