A very thorough investigation into the historical and artistic events of this theatre was conducted by the students of the State Middle School of Zibello (class III D) under the guidance of Professor Paolo Soliani; the results were published by the Municipal Administration in 1993. Therefore, the drafting of these notes mainly refers to this research. This small theatre was presumably created towards the end of the 18th century on the west side of the Old Palace, which at the time was owned by the Pallavicino marquises, feudal lords of Zibello. The last lord, Marquis Antonio Francesco, seemed to stay in Zibello more regularly than his ancestors, who preferred to reside elsewhere; furthermore, he showed a tendency to restore dignity to the fiefdom by trying to realize works that would attest to his civil and social commitment and by establishing closer relations with his subjects.
It is therefore not unlikely that, to make his stay in Zibello more enjoyable, he decided to create a small theatre in his palace to offer entertainment and delight to himself and his guests. We know for certain that in 1804, to satisfy the wishes of the town’s notables, he opened this hall to the public. The only testimony of the original layout of the Pallavicino Theatre is found in the Memoirs of Don Bartolomeo Zerbini: it was a basic structure consisting of the stage and an auditorium seating about twenty benches. Only in 1827, according to Don Zerbini, was it completely renovated by a certain Lorenzo Boni (who must have held an important administrative role in the local Amateur Dramatic Society), and boxes were built, with the central one reserved for the Pallavicino family and another for the parish priest. Two of the most renowned scenic painters of the time, Pietro Piazza and Giovanni Azzi, were entrusted with decorating the hall.
The Pallavicino hall thus acquired a definitive and complete appearance, so much so that Molossi in his Topographical Vocabulary published in Parma between 1832-1834, could note that in Zibello there was a modern and sufficient small theatre equipped with two rows of boxes. Except for essential maintenance and restoration work carried out periodically to keep it efficient, the theatre’s appearance did not undergo significant changes until the second decade of the 20th century.
In 1905, the Municipal Administration concluded negotiations, which had been underway for some time, with Countess Simonetta Pallavicino (owner of the property) for the purchase of the theatre, including the entrance hall and the service rooms that were part of it. Subsequently, in 1910, the City Council approved a complete renovation of the theatre according to the project drawn up by Lino Bocchi, which included, among other things, the construction of a wooden gallery connected to the boxes below. A new, larger, and more dignified entrance was built based on a design by Virginio Michiara. The lighting system was modified: the oil lamps were replaced by electric lighting, and the auditorium furnishings were renewed. The works were completed in the summer of 1913 and the renovated theatre was inaugurated with Lucia di Lammermoor on June 12, 1914. The 20th-century renovation did not radically change the theatre hall, which therefore retains its 19th-century style: a U-shaped plan, one row of twelve boxes with a royal box and a wooden gallery, proscenium arch decorated with stucco and a central clock, but the decorative scheme was made simple and linear.
A curtain remains, with a trompe-l’oeil tent effect, featuring a decorative frieze along the bottom. Records show that the Pallavicino theatre hosted quite lively and intense activity, thanks especially to the presence of two local societies, a Philharmonic and an Amateur Dramatic Society. The latter, documented since 1806, was made up of “wise”, “studious and well-off” people and was also equipped with everything needed to stage plays in prose, including costumes and various equipment (Il teatro…, p. 31).
Over the years, the two associations, with the support of the box holders, took on the responsibility of making necessary improvements to the theatre. Nevertheless, touring companies of comedies and dramas also performed, as well as concerts and productions of operas such as Il principe di Taranto, L’italiana in Algeri, Rossini’s La gazza ladra, La traviata, Rigoletto, and La sonnambula. Moreover, since 1919, film screenings were held, which after 1955 (when dramatic performances ceased) until 1963 became the theatre’s only activity. For many years, the hall remained unused, then starting in 1978 the Administration began a restoration effort to prevent its final decay; the roof was repaired, the corridor leading to the staircase was restored, boxes and auditorium were renovated, and systems (heating, lighting, etc.) were redone, but it still lacks the safety requirements mandated by law. The administrators intend to complete the entire project to keep the hall alive and usable, if not as a genuine theatre (given the high management costs), at least as a gathering place for recitals, debates, and conferences. (Lidia Bortolotti)
Information about Pallavicino Theatre
Piazza Garibaldi,
43010 Zibello (Parma)
Source: MIBACT
