Carlo Felice Theatre

The Carlo Felice theatre, in Genoa

The Carlo Felice theatre is the main opera of Genoa, a leading lyric stage on the piazza De Ferrari. The Genoa audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this building inaugurated in 1828, pride of the city, destroyed during the Second World War then entirely rebuilt, that today hosts operas, ballets and concerts in a vast hall.

History

A few notes of lyric singing, here is the universe of the attraction that stands just opposite: the Carlo Felice theatre. In 1828, after two years of works led by the architect Carlo Barabino, it was inaugurated, without even being completed: not for lack of money, but because the excitement and the desire of Genoa to host its first great stage prevailed over the last details. In 1892, on the occasion of the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America by the Genoese Christopher Columbus, the building knew a first renovation, to which neither money nor guests of honour were lacking, except perhaps Verdi, solicited to compose a tailor-made opera but who declined by reason of his advanced age. While it sported a new appearance, the theatre was sadly destroyed during the Second World War: its roof exploded under a British shell, reducing one of the finest Italian opera houses to a simple architectural skeleton. The complete renovation of the monument was launched in 1991, and today the Carlo Felice has found its vocation again, hosting operas, ballets and concerts in a hall of two thousand seats.

What to see

Here you admire the main opera of Genoa, inaugurated in 1828 by the architect Carlo Barabino, pride of the city; destroyed during the Second World War, when a British shell exploded its roof, it was entirely rebuilt from 1991 and today hosts operas, ballets and concerts in a hall of two thousand seats. The Carlo Felice theatre is the lyric heart of Genoa. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Carlo Felice theatre stands on the piazza De Ferrari, in the heart of Genoa, reachable on foot. It is a performance hall in activity, whose programme, hours and access follow the conditions in force, which vary. It is best to enquire before coming.

What is the history of the Carlo Felice theatre of Genoa?

Inaugurated in 1828 by the architect Carlo Barabino as the first great opera of Genoa, it was renovated in 1892 for the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America, then destroyed during the Second World War by a British shell that exploded its roof; entirely rebuilt from 1991, it today hosts operas, ballets and concerts.

Where is the Carlo Felice theatre in Genoa?

On the piazza De Ferrari, in the heart of Genoa, in Italy.