Teatro S. Carlo in Naples opened its 2010 season in January in a completely restored opera house. The gold and stucco work in the main auditorium has been returned to its original splendour and now shines so brightly that it hurts the eyes; the painted cloth that hangs above the stalls in place of the ceiling has been cleaned and restored to show the bright colours of old; and the parquet flooring, velvet upholstery and seating have been renewed (the old chairs have been put on sale to the delight of aficionados, who have been all too happy to take home a souvenir of the