Teatro Pergolesi

Teatro Pergolesi, officially known as Teatro Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, stands as a beacon of cultural and historical significance in the charming town of Jesi, located in the Marche region of Italy. This illustrious theater, nestled on the southeastern side of the central Piazza della Repubblica, is not only one of Italy's most revered opera houses but also one of the oldest theaters in the region.

The Origins: Teatro del Leone

The roots of Teatro Pergolesi trace back to the Teatro del Leone, which was constructed between 1728 and 1731 by the Jesi-born painter and architect Domenico Luigi Valeri. This wooden theater, with its U-shaped layout and 62 boxes arranged over three tiers, was one of the first theaters in the Marche region. Despite its pioneering status, it was soon deemed uncomfortable by the local nobility and eventually fell out of favor, meeting its demise in a fire in 1892.

The Birth of Teatro della Concordia

In 1790, the local government transferred land previously occupied by small shops to the Società della Concordia, a group of 54 noblemen from Jesi, with the support of the papal governor Pietro Gravina. This marked the beginning of the construction of the Teatro della Concordia, intended to replace the now obsolete Teatro del Leone. The initial design by Francesco Maria Ciaraffoni was extensively revised by the papal architect Cosimo Morelli from Imola. Morelli, known for his conservative adherence to neo-Renaissance principles, expanded the theater's layout and proscenium, and crafted the elliptical curve of the hall, which contributes to its exceptional acoustics. He also redesigned the facade, creating a high rusticated base with arches aligned with the tympanum windows of the upper floors.

Inauguration and Early Years

The technical execution of the theater, particularly its vault, was entrusted to Giovanni Antonio Antolini, the architect behind the unbuilt Foro Bonaparte in Milan. The interior decorations were the work of renowned neoclassical artists Felice Giani, who painted the Stories of Apollo on the hall's vault, and Gaetano Bertolani, who created the ornamental stucco work. Teatro della Concordia was inaugurated during the carnival of 1798, amidst the backdrop of the Napoleonic invasion and the Treaty of Campoformio. The opening performances included three operas, with notable participation from the Pesaro-born soprano Anna Guidarini, mother of the famous composer Gioachino Rossini.

Evolution and Renaming to Teatro Pergolesi

Over the years, the theater underwent numerous enhancements. In 1837, six new boxes were added to the proscenium, and in 1859, Giuseppe Vallesi from Rome restored the paintings by Giani and decorated the new boxes. The facade saw the addition of a frieze with a central clock held by two eagles and two cornucopias, a gift from Maximilian of Beauharnais in 1839. In 1856, Luigi Mancini, a painter from Jesi, created the historical curtain depicting The Entrance of Frederick II into Jesi in 1216, commemorating the birth of the Holy Roman Emperor in 1194.

In 1883, the theater was renamed Teatro Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, in honor of the celebrated composer born in Jesi in 1710. Since 1929, the theater has been under the ownership of the municipality. In January 2006, the 19th-century clock on the theater's facade was restored, replacing its manual mechanism with a high-precision electronic control. The original mechanical apparatus was meticulously restored and is now displayed in the theater's foyer.

A Hub for Theatrical Performances

Teatro Pergolesi has hosted numerous notable performances over the decades. In 1934, The Barber of Seville was staged with Mercedes Capsir and Giovanni Manurita, conducted by Riccardo Zandonai. In 1942, Rigoletto featured Gino Bechi. The post-war period saw the theater reopening in 1947, with performances by renowned artists such as Benvenuto Franci in Andrea Chénier, Clara Petrella and Bruno Landi in Manon, and Mafalda Favero and Aldo Protti in La Bohème. The young Renata Scotto made her debut in Madama Butterfly in 1953.

Modern-Day Relevance

In 1960, the theater staged Lo frate 'nnamorato directed by Franco Zeffirelli, followed by a 1968 performance featuring the ballet company from La Scala in Milan, including the legendary Carla Fracci. Thanks to the efforts of artistic director Carlo Perucci, Teatro Pergolesi was recognized as a theater of tradition by the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment in 1968.

Today, Teatro Pergolesi continues to be a vibrant cultural center, preserving its rich heritage while embracing contemporary performances. Its walls echo with the melodies of the past and the promise of future artistic endeavors, making it an unmissable destination for anyone visiting Jesi.