The Scientific Theatre of Mantua was built between 1767 and 1769 and designed by the Parmesan Antonio Galli Bibiena commissioned by the rector of the Accademia dei Timidi, Count Carlo Ottavio di Colloredo, primarily to host scientific meetings, but also open to plays and concerts.
The Scientific Theatre of Mantua, no longer tiered like Renaissance theatres, has a bell-shaped floor plan and is arranged on multiple levels of wooden boxes, following the type of structure invented in the seventeenth century that had by then become widespread.
The architect Bibiena completed the Scientific Theatre in just two years: he conceived it, supervised the construction, and finally, with skill as both painter and architect, personally frescoed the interiors of the numerous boxes with monochrome figurations.
The classic façade was instead created by Giuseppe Piermarini, from whom the hall on the first floor of the theatre takes its name. The “scientific” theatre was inaugurated on December 3, 1769, and on January 16, 1770, the young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, just fourteen years old, gave a memorable concert there. Today, the Scientific Theatre of Mantua is still used to host music festivals, concerts, and high-level conferences.
Scientific Theatre of Mantua Opening Hours
From March 15 to November 15, Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 AM/1:00 PM – 3:00 PM/6:00 PM
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: 10:00 AM/6:00 PM
From November 16 to March 14, Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM/1:00 PM – 3:00 PM/6:00 PM
Location of the Scientific Theatre of Mantua
Via Accademia, 47 – 46100 Mantua – Tel. 0376.338648 Email: aldo.fiozzi@domino.comune.mantova.it
