San Carlo Theatre is the oldest opera house in the world. Commissioned by Charles of Bourbon III, it was designed by architect Giovanni Antonio Medrano and built right next to the Royal Palace in 1737. In 1809, a new season began for this spectacular Neapolitan theatre, which was completely transformed by architect and stage designer Antonio Niccolini. Authors such as Rossini, Donizzetti, Paganini, Bellini, Mercadante, Verdi, Mascagni, Cilea, singers such as Caruso, Tebaldi, Callas, Pavarotti, Domingo and Carreras loved, trod and made this theatre stage even more extraordinary.