Regio Theatre

Historic Building and Theatre in Parma

Parma - Teatro Regio — CC BY-SA 4.0 / Cartonimorti

The Regio Theatre, located in Parma, Italy, is a magnificent neoclassical opera house with a rich history. Commissioned by Maria Luigia and designed by architect Nicola Bettoli, the construction of the theater took place between 1821 and 1829. It was built on the site where the Benedictine convent of St. Alessandro once stood.

The theater’s neoclassical facade is a prominent feature, boasting a portico supported by ten Ionic columns. The facade also includes a double row of windows and intricate decorations by Tommaso Bandini. These decorations adorn both sides of the tympanum and represent the allegories of Fame and the Lyre.

The interior of the Regio Theatre features an elegant neoclassical hall, which leads to the elliptical stalls. The stalls are beautifully decorated in white and gold, a work completed by Girolamo Magnani in 1853. The theater also includes four tiers of boxes and a gallery for the audience.

Inside the theater, you’ll find a range of equipment, scenes, halls, a decorated ceiling, a curtain adorned by Borghese in 1824, and a massive chandelier manufactured in Paris, weighing an impressive one ton. These elements collectively make the Regio Theatre a revered venue dedicated to the operas of Verdi and renowned for its discerning audience.

The Regio Theatre officially opened on May 16, 1829, with the premiere of the opera “Zaira,” which was specially composed by Vincenzo Bellini for the occasion. To this day, it remains one of the most celebrated and esteemed opera houses in the world.

The Regio Theatre appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Parma!

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