Founded by a group of nobles and Amerini bourgeoisie (1780), the Teatro Sociale is remarkably similar – in architecture, layout, and even design – to the Teatro della Fenice in Venice, created by the Perugian academic Gian Antonio Selva (colleague at the Accademia del Disegno of Count Stefano Cansacchi, creator of the Sociale). By 1783, the essential structure was erected, as indicated by the entablature above the main entrance (“HONESTO CIVIUM OBLECTAMENTO”). The orchestra pit, opened in 1823 to meet the new needs of opera, was added. In 1866, the proscenium boxes were built (the theater has 50 boxes, distributed over three tiers, plus the gallery). Between 1880 and 1886, decorations and frescoes were created by Domenico Bruschi (also active in theater work at the Caio Melisso in Spoleto): his works include the stunning curtain depicting the siege of Amelia by Barbarossa and the ceiling of the main hall of the foyer, famous for its playful perspective illusions. Renovated between 1982 and 1985 with significant contribution from the Theatrical Society, it reopened to the public in December 1995. The Amerini theater represents one of the rare surviving examples of an 18th-century theater built entirely of wood, from its structure to the stage mechanisms still perfectly functioning throughout its history. The theater, still owned by the same Theatrical Society established for its creation, has hosted all major operas of the 18th and 19th-century Italian repertoire, featuring the greatest Italian and foreign artists, as well as symphonic and chamber music performances. Worth mentioning is also the large stage, of considerable height, used as a set for 42 films, some famous such as “Marchese del Grillo” with A. Sordi or “Pinocchio” by Comencini with N. Manfredi.
Information about Teatro Sociale di Foce (Amelia)
Via del Teatro,
05022 Amelia (Terni)
0744 976220/205
lucia.lucciarini@comune.amelia.tr.it
https://www.comune.amelia.tr.it/teatro.php
Source: MIBACT
