by Alessandra Ressa
After months of lockdown the stars are shining bright again for one of Trieste’s most iconic, eclectic and restless theaters- Teatro Rossetti.
The theater has not only reopened its doors to the loyal audience, but it has done so with a rich and exciting program. Classics, drama, concerts, dance, special events -Rossetti has it all.
With two shows running- one at the amazing Generali hall and the other in the intimate rooftop stage Sala Bartoli- this eclectic theater offers culture in every size and for every taste and wallet.
The main stage is currently showing the comedy The Misanthrope by French playwright Molière until may 30th. Written in 1666, it is a play in strict dialogue format with themes so current that it could have been written today, with particular reference to the specific psychologies and more subtle reveal of the evils of society.
The comedy revolves around the hero both amusing and tragic at the same time. Though he refuses to accept human imperfection, he doesn’t notice neither his own weaknesses nor the flaws of the woman he loves. Don’t you too know people like that? The Misanthrope is excellently brought on stage by the young and talented actors of the Teatro Biondo di Palermo.
Coming up is Ludvig starting on May 31st, a pièce dedicated to Beethoven. And, if you loved Tom Hardy in the filmLocke you can’t miss its stage adaptation from June 22nd to 27th. You can consult the calendar of events on www.ilrossetti.it. With the lifting of curfew starting on June 1st all shows will begin at 8.30 or 9 p.m.
Watching a show at Rossetti is not only an opportunity to spend a pleasant cultural evening in beautiful environs, but an entertaining and stimulating way to improve your Italian in one of the oldest and most popular theaters in Trieste.
Look up when the lights go out and before the show begins to enjoy a starry ceiling with over 1,600 bright stars surrounded by dark blue sky. Make sure you exchange comments and critique with theater aficionados during intervals, not only your Italian will benefit, but you’ll catch up on the latest gossip about this or that actor on stage.
Rossetti is beautifully located along the pedestrian Viale XX Settembre and was built in 1878 in a neo-classical-eclectic style, very popular at the time among Trieste’s architects. Originally built for an audience of 5,000 people, with a retractable roof to keep it cool during summer performances, Rossetti theater mainly staged music events: opera, concerts and operetta.
Many great composers and directors, such as Richard Strauss, Gustav Mahler, Pietro Mascagni, Arturo Toscanini and Franz Lehar, performed on its stage. Rossetti did not only host great concerts, but equestrian events and famous masquerade balls. It boasted the first cinema hall, with long lines of Triestini hoping to find a seat. In 1948, soprano Maria Callas performed here at the height of her career.
The theater was renovated in 1928 by a well-known architect Nordio. The auditorium was reduced to 1,500 seats. Rossetti theater was then bought by president of Lloyd Adriatico Ugo Irneri. It remained closed for almost 10 years due to major renovations between 1959 and 1968. In that occasion, new decorations were added to the main hall by artist Marcello Mascherini that embodied the four expressions of art. Rossetti’s doors eventually reopened to Triestine audience in 1969.
In 1989 the theater became property of the Municipality of Trieste. A third, major renovation had become necessary by then to comply with the new security regulations. Today, Rossetti offers 1,500 seats in the main auditorium, making it one of the biggest theaters on the European scene.
The theater also has a smaller stage, Sala Bartoli, with 128 seats, to host smaller, not mainstream productions, and a restaurant-café on the ground floor (accessible through Viale XX Settembre) often used for show presentations and as a space for artists and audience to meet.
Rossetti’s current director is Paolo Valerio, its president Francesco Grambassi. Since 1956 it is Teatro Stabile del Friuli Venezia Giulia.
And finally, don’t miss the initiative “Rossetti Open. Alla scoperta dei luoghi segreti del nostro teatro”, a unique opportunity to explore the theater and discover its most secret corners. It is a fascinating tour guided by actors, who will take the audience around the theater through space and time. “Rossetti open” can be booked until June 6th.
