The Teatro Massimo Bellini is an opera house located on Piazza Vincenzo Bellini in Catania, Sicily, southern Italy. Named after the local-born composer Vincenzo Bellini, it was inaugurated on 31 May 1890 with a performance of the composer's masterwork, Norma. It seats 1,200.
The creation of what was to finally become the Teatro Massimo Bellini took almost two hundred years, beginning with discussions following the disastrous 1693 earthquake which completely destroyed Catania. The construction of a public theatre was discussed, and a foundation stone was finally laid in 1812.
Architect Salvatore Zahra Buda began to prepare a plan for a theatre in the Piazza Nuovaluce, in front of the Santa Maria di Nuovaluce monastery, the location of the present-day theatre. It was decided that a "Great Municipal Theatre" worthy of an expanding city should be created; the plan of the "Teatro Nuovaluce" (New Light Theatre) was a grandiose one in all respects, and was conceived to create one of the most innovative works in Italy.
Due to funding problems, work had to stop for some years. Meanwhile, a smaller theatre - the "Provisional Municipal Theatre" – was built instead, and it opened in 1822 (but was destroyed during the Second World War). Meanwhile, the Teatro Nuovaluce, after being partially completed and converted into a multi-purpose hall, was devoted mainly to summer use until 1865 when it was sold privately to finance the construction of a new theatre.
In 1870, the theatre architect Carlo Sada was appointed to find a suitable site for the new theatre. Many location options were considered for the long desired "Massimo" theatre. One location was chosen only to be turned down with the original site being brought back into the picture. This time it was to be the location for a large, multi-purpose hall. Again, funding problems arose, and the plan was taken over by the Municipality. A Municipal committee then decided that the structure should be made into a single-purpose opera house. Finally, work proceeded well, and the theatre was completed in seven years, opening in May 1890.
The style of the Catania theater is inspired by the French eclecticism of the second empire imposed on Paris by Charles Garnier with the Paris Opera. Its marble foyer, the “Ridotto”, is ornate and stuccoed, and a statue of Bellini is located between the central arches. The beautiful red-plush interior includes the main floor seating and four tiers of boxes. Surrounding them, on the upper level, are unusual arched arcades. The painted ceiling by Ernesto Bellandi depicts scenes from four of Bellini's most well-known operas.
Opera
Interior of the Teatro Massimo Bellini
Detail of the ceiling of the large theater hall
Throughout its history, the opera house has performed almost all of Bellini's work. From its beginnings, a wide variety of operas have been performed by some highly renowned singers. In 1951, to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Bellini, Maria Callas sang Norma, repeating her success in 1952 and 1953.
In recent years, there has been an infusion of about $2 million, leading to the celebration of the Bellini bicentennial during the 2001 season and to a major renovation of the house.
The theater also operates the nearby smaller Teatro Sangiorgi, used for recitals, operetta, cinema, and drama.
References
Giraldi, Juliet, “Postcard From Catania”, Opera Now, September/October 2001. An account of the bicentennial season.
External links
Official website (in Italian, English, and French)
teatro, massimo, bellini, confused, with, teatro, bellini, naples, opera, house, located, piazza, vincenzo, bellini, catania, sicily, southern, italy, named, after, local, born, composer, vincenzo, bellini, inaugurated, 1890, with, performance, composer, maste. Not to be confused with Teatro Bellini Naples The Teatro Massimo Bellini is an opera house located on Piazza Vincenzo Bellini in Catania Sicily southern Italy Named after the local born composer Vincenzo Bellini it was inaugurated on 31 May 1890 with a performance of the composer s masterwork Norma It seats 1 200 Piazza Vincenzo Bellini and the adjoining theatre Detailed view of the front Contents 1 History 2 Opera 3 References 4 External linksHistory Edit Foyer ceiling detail Detail of the fayer mirrors The creation of what was to finally become the Teatro Massimo Bellini took almost two hundred years beginning with discussions following the disastrous 1693 earthquake which completely destroyed Catania The construction of a public theatre was discussed and a foundation stone was finally laid in 1812 Architect Salvatore Zahra Buda began to prepare a plan for a theatre in the Piazza Nuovaluce in front of the Santa Maria di Nuovaluce monastery the location of the present day theatre It was decided that a Great Municipal Theatre worthy of an expanding city should be created the plan of the Teatro Nuovaluce New Light Theatre was a grandiose one in all respects and was conceived to create one of the most innovative works in Italy Due to funding problems work had to stop for some years Meanwhile a smaller theatre the Provisional Municipal Theatre was built instead and it opened in 1822 but was destroyed during the Second World War Meanwhile the Teatro Nuovaluce after being partially completed and converted into a multi purpose hall was devoted mainly to summer use until 1865 when it was sold privately to finance the construction of a new theatre In 1870 the theatre architect Carlo Sada was appointed to find a suitable site for the new theatre Many location options were considered for the long desired Massimo theatre One location was chosen only to be turned down with the original site being brought back into the picture This time it was to be the location for a large multi purpose hall Again funding problems arose and the plan was taken over by the Municipality A Municipal committee then decided that the structure should be made into a single purpose opera house Finally work proceeded well and the theatre was completed in seven years opening in May 1890 The style of the Catania theater is inspired by the French eclecticism of the second empire imposed on Paris by Charles Garnier with the Paris Opera Its marble foyer the Ridotto is ornate and stuccoed and a statue of Bellini is located between the central arches The beautiful red plush interior includes the main floor seating and four tiers of boxes Surrounding them on the upper level are unusual arched arcades The painted ceiling by Ernesto Bellandi depicts scenes from four of Bellini s most well known operas Opera Edit Interior of the Teatro Massimo Bellini Detail of the ceiling of the large theater hall Throughout its history the opera house has performed almost all of Bellini s work From its beginnings a wide variety of operas have been performed by some highly renowned singers In 1951 to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Bellini Maria Callas sang Norma repeating her success in 1952 and 1953 In recent years there has been an infusion of about 2 million leading to the celebration of the Bellini bicentennial during the 2001 season and to a major renovation of the house The theater also operates the nearby smaller Teatro Sangiorgi used for recitals operetta cinema and drama References EditGiraldi Juliet Postcard From Catania Opera Now September October 2001 An account of the bicentennial season External links EditOfficial website in Italian English and French Coordinates 37 30 15 N 15 05 24 E 37 50417 N 15 09000 E 37 50417 15 09000 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Teatro Massimo Bellini amp oldid 1125952588, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
