Teatro Municipale Valli

Reggio Emilia's Teatro Municipale Valli opened in 1857 and remains a landmark of the city's theatrical and musical life. Designed by Modenese architect Cesare Costa, the Italian-style opera house faces Piazza Martiri del 7 Luglio alongside the Teatro Ariosto and the converted Cavallerizza.

Why it matters

The theatre was built after a fire destroyed the Teatro di Cittadella in 1851. The municipality chose Costa to design a new house, which opened just six years later. Its rapid construction and ambitious scale expressed the city's cultural aspirations. The Teatro Valli is now part of Fondazione I Teatri, which also manages the Ariosto and Cavallerizza.

What to notice

Inside the Italian-style auditorium, Alfonso Chierici's curtain depicts the Genius of the Italian Fine Arts summoning inspiration from national history. Decorations supervised by Girolamo Magnani enrich the theatre. The gasometer built to supply gas lighting also served the city.

Context and history

The theatre opened on 21 April 1857 with Achille Peri's Vittor Pisani, conducted by the composer. Its first season also included Verdi's Simon Boccanegra and Donizetti's Anna Bolena. The municipality took direct control in 1957. Luciano Pavarotti made his debut here in 1961, and in 1980 the theatre was named for actor Romolo Valli. Since 2004, it has been the home of Riccardo Muti's Orchestra Giovanile Luigi Cherubini.