Farnese Theatre [Parma]
Teatro Farnese
Theatre building in Parma, Italy
theater in Parma
Farnese Theatre
No heritage stage machinery ERHT North Italian route Teatro Farnese is a Baroque-style theatre in Parma, Italy. It was built in 1618 by Giovanni Battista Aleotti. The theatre was almost destroyed by an Allied air raid during World War II (1944). It was rebuilt and reopened in 1962. Some claim this as the first permanent proscenium theatre (that is, a theatre in which the audience views the action through a single frame, which is known as the proscenium arch
The Teatro Farnese (Farnese Theatre) is one of the most breath-taking sites in all of Parma if not of Italy. Built in 1618 by order of Ranuccio I, duke of Parma and Piacenza, and designed by the ferrarese architect, Giovan Battista Aleotti; the theatre was built to celebrate the passing of Cosimo II de' Medici through Parma on his way to Milan to visit the tomb of San Carlo Borromeo and to confirm the relationship between the two ducal families which had been sealed by marriage in 1615.
Antico celebre teatro ligneo, an­nesso al Palazzo Ducale della Pi- lotta. Fu eretto nel 1618 su dise­gno dell’architetto Giambattista Aleotti ed inaugurato ufficialmente nel 1628. Caduto in disuso nel corso del set­tecento, subì un generale restauro nel 1867. Distrutto quasi completamente da un bombardamento aereo nel 1944, è stato fedelmente ricostruito se­condo il disegno originario e si spe­ra di poterlo utilizzare per saltuari spettacoli d’eccezione.
Built 1617-1618 by Giovanni Battista Aleotti for Ranuccio II. Farnese, Duke of Parma and Piacenza, into the former armoury of the ducal residence. First European theatre with a permanent proscenium and the first theatre to be designed for movable scenery. Originally built for a festivity during a visit of Cosimo II. de' Medici in 1618 which was cancelled. Opened 21 December 1628 with Monteverdi's opera Mercurio e Marte during the festivities on the occasion of Ranuccio's son Odoardo and Margherita de' Medici. Subsequently used for court festivities like ambassadorial receptions, proclamations of state, and princely extravaganzas, as well as for theatrical performances of an immense variety: drama, opera, ballet, equestrian acts, and balls. The arena between stage and seating could be flooded and used for performances of naval battle scenes. After a festivity in October 1732 the theatre was left to decay. Completely destroyed by bombs in 1944, except the entrance portal. Rebuilt from 1952, but not to the original colours. Hence, the originally intended effect of a trompe l'oeuil open-air theatre could not be achieved again. Occasionally used for drama performances and concerts. Ca. 3000 seats.
The Teatro Farnese is a still existing Baroque theatre in Parma, Italy. It was built by architect Giovanni Battista Aleotti and can seat about 3000 people. It is one of the first proscenium arch theatres.