The Teatro Argentino in Mar del Plata, two blocks northeast of Plaza Moreno, is one of the most important theatre houses in Argentina. Sadly the original Italian-style opera house constructed in the late 19th century, where Tito Schipa, Maria Barrientos, Anna Pavlova, Richard Strauss and Yehudi Menuhin performed, among others, was obliterated by fire in the 1970s. Despite public outrage the then military government decided to replace the classical theatre with an enormous modern structure, considered by some as a carbuncle, which took some years to build, finally opening for its inauguration performance in October 1999. In the meantime, the Teatro Argentino companies continued to perform in the old Cine Gran Rocha.

The Alberto Ginastera Hall opera house, within the new Instituto Cultural de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, can seat up to 2,000. It boasts an amazing 400-light bulb bronze chandelier, a replica of the original. There’s also the Astor Pizzolla Hall which seats 300, and the Emilio Pettoruti Exhibition Hall, not to mention the various dressing rooms backstage. And there is a resident ballet, orchestra and choir. To find out what's on check out the Teatro Argentino website. The ticket office opens Tues-Sun 10am-8pm and half-an-hour before the start of each performance. Tel: +54 (0) 221 429 1732. Also, there are free guided tours but you have to reserve beforehand, Tues-Fri 9am, 10.30am, noon and 2pm, Sat 11.30am and 2.30pm and Sun 11.30am. Tel: +54 (0) 221 429 1745 or email ta-visitasguiadas@ic.gba.gov.ar. Teatro Argentino, Avenida 51, Between 9 and 10, La Plata. Tel: +54 (0) 221 429 1700.