THE STAGE

The Teatro Sociale of Castiglione delle Stiviere is a historic theatre in the Mantua area (only 15 mi away from Desenzano del Garda) designed by architect Luigi Canonica. It was inaugurated on 12 October 1843.

The patricians of Castiglione delle Stiviere used to host theatrical and melodramatic performances in the halls of the Palazzo Pretorio, which were, however, occupied by Austrian troops at least between 1832 and 1836. It was therefore considered that the time was ripe for the construction of a new dedicated building. This was the era of great development of theatrical passion, after the brilliant examples of Goldoni, Alfieri, and above all the era of opera in music which, in Italy, already counted glorious names such as Bellini, Rossini, Donizetti. Mantua had built its Teatro Sociale in 1822 and in Castiglione the initiative was taken to do the same, in proportion to the means with which it was possible to create a conspicuous building and above all a theatre which was among the best of the provincial social theatres.