Any tango dancer coming to Buenos Aires will inevitably be shopping for CDs. I'd like to recommend a grand place to do it where you can admire an architectural marvel, browse books, pass time in an art gallery, have lunch and listen to CDs in the same place.
A couple years ago, a friend brought me to this mega-bookstore. I was awestruck. A recent article in La Nacion magazine gave the history of this building which has been renovated to its original beauty. Art historian Hugo Petruschansky's article gave me a greater appreciation for this architectural masterpiece. The artist Nazareno Orlandi (1861-1952), born in Italy, moved to Buenos Aires 1890 when the government commissioned him to paint art murals. In 1919, Max Glucksman, an immigrant to Buenos Aires, constructed a grand cinema/theater above the foundation of the old North National Theater. He called it Gran Splendid and commissioned Orlandi to paint the murals on the ceiling. It was an impressive hall for 500 people with several balconies. In this theater great figures of tango appeared, such as Gardel and Corsini. Firpo dedicated his tango Gran Splendid in 1927. Today the old theater remains because of the beautiful ceiling painted by Orlandi. The Gran Splendid is one of his most important works. Ateneo Grand Splendid Avda. Santa Fe 1860 near Callao 4813-6052 Pichi de Buenos Aires
