GIUSEPPE VERDI THEATRE
Municipality: Busseto (PR) - Theme: MusicThe Giuseppe Verdi Theatre, located inside the Rocca Pallavicino in Piazza Giuseppe Verdi, lies at the heart of the Verdian town of Busseto. Its construction, strongly desired by the local community despite the Maestro’s reservations, took place between 1856 and 1868 under the design of architect Pier Luigi Montecchini. The inauguration was held on 15 August 1868 with Un ballo in maschera and Rigoletto. Verdi himself, opposed to the project he considered too costly for the town, did not attend the opening, yet the theatre soon became a symbol of civic pride.
The building is a fine example of a small Italian-style theatre, with about 300 seats distributed between the stalls, two tiers of sixteen boxes each, and the gallery. It still preserves many original elements, such as the stage machinery, dressing rooms, costume workshop, and bronze chandeliers. Of special note is the Ridotto Hall, embellished with decorations, a tribune, and a gilded mirror by Giuseppe Carletti, reflecting the scenic taste of the time.
Throughout its history, the theatre has hosted remarkable events: in 1913 and 1926 Arturo Toscanini conducted celebrated seasons for Verdi anniversaries, while in 2001 and 2002 Riccardo Muti and Franco Zeffirelli staged Falstaff and Aida, respectively, bringing Busseto back to the international opera spotlight.
After careful restoration works that improved both safety and accessibility, the Giuseppe Verdi Theatre remains one of the symbolic landmarks of Parma’s musical heritage. Today, it hosts theatre seasons, concerts, and performances promoted in collaboration with the Municipality of Busseto and the ATER Foundation, welcoming visitors and opera lovers from all over the world.
The theatre is open from Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays.
GUIDED TOURS OPENING HOURS
Morning – 9:30 a.m. / 10:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m. / 11:00 a.m. / 11:30 a.m. / 12:00 p.m. / 12:30 p.m.
Afternoon – 03:00 p.m. / 03:30 p.m. / 04:00 p.m. / 04:30 p.m. / 05:00 p.m. / 05:30 p.m. / 06:00 p.m.
For more information and bookings, please contact:
– Tel. 0524 92487 / 0524 801331
– E-mail: info@bussetolive.com
– Sito Web: https://bussetolive.com/en/poi/verdi-theatre/
