Teatro Carlo Felice facts for kids
The Teatro Carlo Felice is the main opera house in Genoa, Italy. It's a special place where you can watch amazing shows like opera (stories told through singing), ballet (dance performances), orchestral music (music played by a large group of musicians), and recitals (solo performances). You can find it right next to Piazza De Ferrari, a famous square in Genoa.
Teatro Carlo Felice on the side of Piazza De Ferrari
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| Address | Passo Eugenio Montale, 4 Genoa Italy |
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| Coordinates | 44°24′29″N 8°56′06″E / 44.408°N 8.935°E |
| Capacity | 2000 (hall), 200 (auditorium) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1828 |
| Architect | Carlo Barabino (original building) Aldo Rossi (reconstruction) |
Contents
A Look Back: The Theatre's History
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The theatre is named after King Carlo Felice. The idea for it started on December 24, 1824. A local architect named Carlo Barabino designed the building. It was built where an old church, San Domenico, used to be. The first stone for the new theatre was laid on March 19, 1826.
Grand Opening and Early Days
The Teatro Carlo Felice officially opened its doors on April 7, 1828. The very first show was an opera called Bianca e Fernando by Vincenzo Bellini. Even though some parts of the building were not quite finished, everyone was excited!
The main hall was huge, holding about 2,500 people. It had five levels of private boxes and a gallery above. People said the sound quality, or acoustics, was amazing for its time. A special school, the Scuola Gratuita di Canto, was even started in 1829. Its goal was to train singers to perform at the theatre. Today, this school is known as the Genoa Conservatory.
Famous Composers and Special Events
For nearly 40 years, starting in 1853, the famous composer Giuseppe Verdi spent his winters in Genoa. However, he didn't work much with the Teatro Carlo Felice.
In 1892, Genoa celebrated a big event: 400 years since Christopher Columbus discovered America. To mark the occasion, the theatre was updated and redecorated. People asked Verdi to write a new opera for the celebration, but he said he was too old. Instead, an opera called Cristoforo Colombo by Alberto Franchetti was performed for the first time on October 6, 1892.
Challenges and Rebuilding
The theatre was changed many times between 1859 and 1934. It managed to stay mostly safe until World War II. On February 9, 1941, a shell from a British warship hit the roof. This made a big hole and destroyed the beautiful ceiling inside. The ceiling was famous for its detailed angels and other winged creatures.
More damage happened during air raids on Genoa. On August 5, 1943, bombs caused a fire backstage. This fire destroyed all the scenery and wooden parts. Later, people stole metal from the theatre. Finally, another air raid in September 1944 destroyed the front of the building. Only the outside walls and corridors were left. The once beautiful opera house was just a skeleton.
After the war, opera shows were held in a temporary place for over 40 years. This was at the Cinema Teatro Margherita.
A New Beginning
Plans to rebuild the theatre started right after the war. Several designs were proposed. The final design, which we see today, was created by Aldo Rossi. This new design kept parts of the original outside look. However, the inside is completely modern.
The theatre officially reopened in June 1991. It now has a main hall that can seat up to 2,000 people. There's also a smaller hall that holds up to 200 people. Today, the Teatro Carlo Felice is the main place for concerts by the Giovine Orchestra Genovese. This is a concert group that started in Genoa in 1912.
Images for kids
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A view of the theatre from above
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The theatre next to the fountain in Piazza Ferrari
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The theatre's front at night
See also
- Music of Liguria
