The Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele, known as the Teatro Massimo in Palermo, is one of the most representative symbols of the city, both historically and culturally. It is the largest opera theatre building in Italy and one of the largest in Europe. Its majestic presence embodies the elegance and grandeur of Italian and Palermo theatrical architecture.
Brief history of the Teatro Massimo
At the time of its inauguration in 1897, the Teatro Massimo aroused admiration and envy for its monumental grandeur, as witnessed by the Italian newspapers of the time.
This majestic building, characterized by a neoclassical – eclectic style, occupies an area of over 7,730 square meters.
In fact, the Teatro Massimo is the third largest theatre in Europe, after the Paris Opéra National and the Vienna State Opera.
Its area includes the land previously occupied by the Church of the Stigmata and the Monastery of San Giuliano, demolished at the end of the nineteenth century to make room for its monumentality.
In 1875, the demolitions of various historic buildings were started to make room for the construction of the Teatro Massimo. After the unification of Italy, the city council of Palermo identified the area as part of the Porta Maqueda area.
It then proceeded with the expropriation of land on which stood several churches and monasteries, including the Church of San Francesco delle Stimmate and the monastery of the Poor Clares, the church of San Giuliano and the monastery of the Theatine Order dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, the church of Sant’Agata delle Scorruggie alle Mura – built on the place where the house of Sant’Agata was supposed to be located – and the church of Santa Marta.
The works for its realization began in 1875, after a troubled period that followed the competition of 1864, won by the architect Giovanni Battista Filippo Basile. After Basile’s death, his son Ernesto Basile, also an architect, took over the project. At the request of the Municipality of Palermo, Ernesto Basile completed the work begun by his father and provided the necessary drawings for the continuation of the works of the Teatro Massimo.
Giovanni Battista Filippo Basile (1825-1891) was one of the most important Italian architects of the nineteenth century. He was best known for his work in Palermo, where he designed the Teatro Massimo in 1864, the Reclusorio delle Croci in neo-medieval style and the neo-Gothic façade of the Cathedral of Acireale. Among his works there is also the Villino Favaloro – Di Stefano (1889), completed by his son Ernesto, and the design of important gardens such as Villa Garibaldi and the English Garden in Palermo, Piazza Marina and Villa Vittorio Emanuele in Caltagirone.
His talent and influence in the world of architecture were recognized by Ernesto Basile (1857-1932), his son and famous master of Art Nouveau, who called him a “free artist and initiator of a free style”.
The cut stone used in the constriction of the theater, is a type of stone extracted from quarries and worked to be used in construction. Compared to reconstituted stone, cut stone is obtained directly from natural rock.
The vast knowledge of the builder Rutelli on the ancient Greco-Roman buildings and the stereotomic science proved fundamental for the erection of a building of such grandeur and importance as the Teatro Massimo, a true monument of the Greco-Roman style.
The Teatro Massimo has seen numerous premieres over the years, including works by Marinuzzi, Giordano, Mulè and Leoncavallo. Later, Rota, Mannino and Musco achieved significant success with their works. After a period of neglect, the theatre was reopened in 1997 thanks to the efforts of Ubaldo Mirabelli, Superintendent of the Teatro Massimo from 1977 to 1995. In 2002, Claudio Abbado conducted the Berliner Philharmoniker in a concert of great resonance.
Architectural description of the Teatro Massimo
The structure of the Teatro Massimo is characterized by a compositional symmetry around the axis of the entrance and by a constant repetition of architectural elements, such as columns and arched windows. The decoration is strictly composed, giving the building a harmony and a clear geometry, inspired by the principles of Greek and Roman architecture. Formal references include not only ancient theatres, but also Roman religious and public buildings, such as temples, civil basilicas and especially spas, both in spatial layout and coverage.
The pediment of the façade bears the motto: “Art renews peoples and reveals their life. There is no room for the beloved if he does not aim to prepare the future”.
This motto, attributed to Gabriele D’Annunzio, emphasizes the importance of art in renewing and revealing the life of peoples, and the need for the theatrical performance to prepare for the future rather than being limited to pure entertainment.
Exterior of the Teatro Massimo
The exterior of the Teatro Massimo follows the trend of the time to reinterpret ancient architecture, presenting an imposing hexastyle Corinthian pronaos, elevated on a majestic staircase. On the sides of the staircase there are two bronze lions, with the allegories of the Tragedy by the sculptor Benedetto Civiletti and the Opera by the sculptor Mario Rutelli, author of the quadriga that adorns the pronaos of the Politeama Garibaldi, another important theatre in Palermo.
The interior architecture of the large hall of the Teatro Massimo is the work of Ernesto Basile, son of Giovanni Battista, the architect responsible for the overall design of the opera. Ernesto Basile, considered a refined exponent of the European Art Nouveau style, availed himself for the decorations and details of Vittorio Ducrot’s skill, especially for the refined compositions of the boxes and furnishings.
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Vittorio Ducrot (1867-1942) was an Italian designer of French origin.
In the early years of the twentieth century after his studies in Switzerland, he returned to Palermo and in 1902 he took over the management of his stepfather’s furniture factory, renaming it “Studio Ducrot”. This workshop soon became the Officine Ducrot, one of the first industrial companies in Europe in the furniture industry for the mass production of modernist artifacts and furnishings.
He collaborated closely with the architect Ernesto Basile, the painter Ettore De Maria Bergler and other artists, becoming a prominent figure in Palermo Art Nouveau and a famous cabinetmaker.
Interior of the Teatro Massimo
The interior of the room is enriched by decorations and paintings by artists such as Rocco Lentini, Ettore De Maria Bergler, Michele Cortegiani and Luigi Di Giovanni. The horseshoe-shaped room has five tiers of boxes and a gallery (gallery). The audience is equipped with a special mobile ceiling composed of large wooden panels frescoed, known as “petals”, which can be opened upwards through a modular management system.
This allows the natural aeration of the environment without the need for forced ventilation, thus contributing to the internal air conditioning of the theater. In the midday rotunda, also known as the Pompeian hall, you can experience a unique resonance effect, obtained specifically by the architect through a subtle asymmetry of the room.
This unique feature makes those in the exact center of the room perceive their voice amplified in a surprising way, while the surrounding environment resonates remarkably. This phenomenon creates a kind of sound insulation, making it difficult to understand from the outside of the roundabout what is said inside.
What to see near the Teatro Massimo
Near the Teatro Massimo in Palermo, there are several interesting attractions to visit:
Piazza Verdi is in front of the Teatro Massimo, and is an ideal place to walk and admire the surrounding architecture.
The Quattro Canti are a short distance from the Teatro Massimo, an ornamental intersection that marks the historic center of Palermo, with its four beautiful baroque facades.
Church of San Domenico and Cloister, this church has a magnificent cloister and exceptional baroque architecture.
The lively and colourful Cape Market offers a wide range of local products, from clothing to gastronomy. It is a great place to enjoy the local atmosphere.
Palazzo dei Normanni and Cappella Palatina, although a little further away, the Norman Palace is a masterpiece of Arab-Norman architecture and houses the beautiful Palatine Chapel, richly decorated with Byzantine mosaics.
Botanical Garden of Palermo, for tourists interested in nature, the Botanical Garden offers a wide collection of exotic and local plants in a quiet and lush environment.
Vucciria and Ballarò, two markets that have become a must to immerse yourself in the gastronomic and social culture of palermo. Vucciria is known for its vibrant nightlife, while Ballarò offers authentic day market experiences.
These are just some of the interesting places that are located near the Teatro Massimo in Palermo, which will allow tourists to fully explore the historical, cultural and culinary richness of the city.
How to reach Teatro Massimo
The Teatro Massimo is located in Piazza Verdi, is well signposted and is located in a central and easily accessible area of Palermo. Follow the directions to Piazza Verdi or use a navigation app like Google Maps to find the fastest and most convenient route according to your starting point.
If tourists are already in the old town, the Teatro Massimo is easily reachable on foot from many of the main tourist attractions.
From other areas of Palermo, you can take the bus lines 101, 102, 104 and 806 that serve the city center and have stops close to the Teatro Massimo. Check the stops and timetables on the website of AMAT, the Palermo Public Transport Company.
In addition, taxis are easily available throughout the city and are a convenient way to get to the theater. The nearest car parks are in Piazzale Ungheria and Piazza Vittorio Emanuele Orlando.
Copertina: Wikipedia
