Teatro Garibaldi

Avola's Teatro Garibaldi opened in 1876 as part of the civic architecture of the newly rebuilt town. The theatre later took the name of Giuseppe Garibaldi, closed in the 1940s and reopened after restoration in 2011.

Why it matters

Designed by Avolese engineer Salvatore Rizza, the theatre was one of the public works that gave the post-Unification town centre its civic character. Its reopening restored its role as Avola's principal venue for live performance.

What to notice

The façade is built from white Hyblean stone, with round-arched bays and balustrades. Inside, a horseshoe-shaped auditorium is surrounded by three tiers of gilded boxes. Gregorio Scalia painted the ceiling with dancing Muses against a starry sky and decorated the vestibule lunettes with portraits of composers including Donizetti, Verdi, Bellini and Rossini. The Sala-Foyer, named for Avolese musician Salvatore Falbo, houses the permanent exhibition I Volti del Teatro.

Context and history

The theatre was built on land originally intended for the church of San Domenico, adjoining the town hall. It was inaugurated on 20 April 1876 and dedicated to Giuseppe Garibaldi in 1882. After closure in the 1940s, restoration returned the theatre to service on 20 April 2011, the anniversary of its original opening. Its stage machinery and scenery involved engineer Fortunato Queriau and painters from Naples' Teatro San Carlo.