The Caporali Theater stands within the historic center of the village of Panicale and is worth visiting both for the elegance of the richly decorated interior structure and for the theatrical performances held there. The theater hosts the drama season (TSU circuit), concerts by Musica Insieme Panicale, Baroque Opera, dance recitals, as well as numerous conferences. The history of the theater traces its roots to the “Dramatic Society” founded in 1694 by a group of young people from Panicale. In 1786, the “Dramatic Society” merged into a new society called the “Theatrical Academy.” The Theatrical Academy built a small wooden theater by F. Tarducci which, due to its location, was called the Teatro del Sole (Sun Theater). In 1856, due to progressive deterioration, the theater was expanded and modified and given a new shape. The restoration project was entrusted to architect Giovanni Caproni who altered the structure by enlarging the stage, increasing the number of boxes, and building a beautiful gallery with a cast iron railing above them. The decoration project was assigned to the Perugian artist Alceste Ricci, who painted the wooden structure with a light varnish enriched with gilded stuccoes and festoons. The painter Mariano Piervittori painted the main curtain portraying the mercenary captain Boldrino Paneri of Panicale receiving the keys to Perugia. The hall thus became elegant and harmonious and was opened to the public during Carnival of 1858 with the new name of Cesare Caporali Theater. Restored in the 1980s, the theater has today returned to full activity.
Information about Cesare Caporali Theater
Via Cesare Caporali, 16
06064 Panicale (Perugia)
075 837710
prenotazioni.caporali@libero.it
https://www.comune.panicale.pg.it
Source: MIBACT
