The origin of the current Verdi Theater dates back to 1874, when the Arena Giardino was built near the old city walls of Cesena, where the city’s public garden was also created; a short distance from the Bonci Theater. Later, the arena was modified to take the form of an elegant theater, retaining the name ‘Giardino’, with an elliptical stalls area and three continuous tiers: galleries and boxes on the first tier, boxes on the second, and the gallery on the third; all supported by slender cast iron columns, proscenium boxes, and a decorated ceiling. Various types of performances regularly take place here, including drama, operetta, opera, and gymnastic shows; in December 1896, the first film screening in Cesena took place here, and after a period of disinterest in this invention, from 1904 film screenings regularly occupied the schedule, interrupted in April 1907 when a fire significantly damaged the theater, which was quickly rebuilt. Since 1919 it has been named Teatro Verdi, a name it still holds. Variety shows, operettas, carnival balls, and film screenings continued to alternate, as did evenings dedicated to political debates, since the theater was also rented to various parties. In 1975, it underwent a comprehensive renovation that, while not radically changing its structure, introduced a sort of masking of the original appearance. The last theater season was in 1977-78, after which the venue was exclusively used for film screenings. Until recently, when a radical intervention redefined its appearance and functions. The character of a multipurpose space, intended since its origin to host a wide variety of shows, has been fully recovered and reinterpreted in a modern key thanks to a restoration project entrusted by the owners to architect Sanzio Castagnoli of Cesena. The main intent of the designer was to remove what had been superimposed on the original structure over the years; through an extremely respectful philological operation that, by eliminating countless additions and bringing the framework back to light, reintroduced the architecture of the hall in its graphic essence. From the cinema function, only some ‘memories’ have been preserved, such as the access staircase to the projection booth (which has been removed), as well as the ‘projection aperture’. The concrete stalls were replaced with an appropriate wooden floorboard, while the removal of the cinema screen revealed the original stage, which proved to be of remarkable proportions, complete with a winch and historical wooden grid. The restoration of the central skylight, made possible within the old perimeter, allows zenithal light to flood the hall, enabling daytime usability. The design proposed by Giacomo Strada for the “dynamic” furnishings, studied consistently with the stylistic character of the theater machinery, to allow effective mobility of objects, represents the most avant-garde impact, along with the sculpture installed in the foyer. Francesco Bocchini created a large wall composition for this theater’s foyer consisting of 160 iron sheet masks painted with oil, ironically and irreverently dedicated to figures from classical music and entertainment. The newly renovated theater is characterized by a particularly diverse cultural and entertainment offering. Based on the premise that the language of art, in its broadest sense of multiple expressions, can renew the spirit of community, creativity, and culture, the Verdi operators have developed a program that embraces the theater in its most eclectic facets. Moreover, outside the official program, these spaces are made available for other activities, whether to promote an interactive and dynamic relationship with contemporary art through exhibitions, presentations, and meetings between the public and critics, or for conferences and corporate events. Since spring 2008, nine bronze sculptures dedicated to Commedia dell’Arte characters have been placed in the park adjacent to the theater, created by sculptor Domenico Neri who donated them to the city. (Lidia Bortolotti)
Information about Verdi Theater
Via Sostegni 7,
47521 Cesena (Forlì-Cesena)
Source: MIBACT
