he
foundation stone for the Teatro della Pergola was laid in July 1652
on the site where there had been a vegetable garden with a beautiful
pergola, thus giving rise to the name of one of the most well-known
theatres in Europe and the most beautiful in Florence.
The Pergola was built to house the Accademia dei Concordi, which
then became the Accademia degli Immobili, whose 'patron protector'
was Cardinal Giovan Carlo de' Medici.
It was designed by the architect Ferdinando Tacca.
The first version of the theatre was in wood, and it was subsequently
reconstructed in stone by Giulio Mannaioni. We owe its current form
to Bartolomeo Silvestri (1928) and to Gaetano Baccani (1937), and
it was the latter who created the elegant foyer.
The first performance took place as early as 1656, even though the
theatre was still incomplete, but it was not officially opened to
the public until 1718.
In the second half of the year 2000, the Saloncino which forms part
of the theatre complex will be enlarged (to approximately 400 seats),
restored, and reopened. It has already been used in recent years
for meetings with actors, press conferences, and various other kinds
of meetings relating to theatrical activities.
|
|