Teatro Sociale

Amelia

General

The nominated property encompasses the blocks near the Teatro Sociale in Amelia. This public theatre is prominently located along the perimeter wall of the town, overlooking the valley. Next to the theatre is the church of Sant’Angelo.

The nominated property encompasses the blocks near the Teatro Sociale in Amelia. This public theatre is prominently located along the perimeter wall of the town, overlooking the valley. Next to the theatre is the church of Sant’Angelo. A nearby vegetable garden belonging to the theatre has recently been set up as a small outdoor performance space.

Two historic house curtains are preserved. One dates from the late 1700s; the other was painted by Domenico Bruschi in 1880 and depicts The Legendary Siege of Amelia by Frederick Barbarossa. Additionally, the theatre preserves the historic backcloths and wheeled flats and still operates entirely using manual rope rigging. Wagons for moving scenery from below the stage have been preserved.

The theatre is operated under a concession to the Ameria 1782 Teatro delle Arti association. Until the 2021/2022 season, the theatre offered a diverse and engaging programme that included drama, symphony music, opera, school workshops, and guided tours. Visits and tours are currently suspended for maintenance work.

Historical Context

Ancien Régime Europe (pre-1789)

Design and Inauguration dates

1780–1783

Stefano Cansacchi

Owned by

Italian State

Capacity

400

Continuity of use/Activity

Currently closed for maintenance work

Artists

Domenico Bruschi (original decorations in auditorium, later replaced; vault of main hall of ridotto; house curtain)

Location

Amelia

Terni
,
Umbria

Population in

1861

7,339 inhabitants

Current Population

11,535 inhabitants

Teatro Sociale

Plan

Elliptical

Building
Auditorium

Building

Façade

The public theatre is embedded in a row of buildings and its façade resembles a typical residential building with stone surrounds around the windows and doors.

Layout of Interior Spaces

On the ground floor is the entrance hall with the box office. A corridor leads from this space to the auditorium stalls. A staircase leads to the first floor where the foyer and several utility spaces are located. Access to the boxes is via two symmetrically arranged staircases.

Auditorium

Vertical Arrangement

Three tiers of boxes and a gallery are supported by pillars with the classic appearance of a beehive and panelled parapets decorated with simple floral motifs.

Plafond

A flat ceiling with trompe l'oeil paintings creates a sense of perspective, with several figures appearing to look down into the auditorium from a floral balustrade.

Decorative Elements

The current decorations in the auditorium and the ridotto were produced between 1880 and 1886 by Domenico Bruschi from Perugia, who also created the house curtain depicting the siege of Amelia by Frederick Barbarossa's troops. Decorations from the 18th century include the act drop.