An evening of celebration and entertainment inaugurated last week the reopening of the theater of Villa Torlonia in Rome.
The first and only time that the Villa Torlonia theater hosted a public performance was in 1905. Today, after a complex restoration work funded by Roma Capitale, with the contribution of Italian tire company Pirelli, this architectural gem is finally returned to the city. The renovation work has transformed the complex into a space that works as both museum and theater.
A theater to visit and admire then, and to experience through theatrical residencies, meetings, performances and workshops.
The history of the Villa Torlonia theater dates back to 1841, when it was commissioned by Prince Alessandro Torlonia to celebrate his marriage to Teresa Colonna. In addition to scenic areas, side rooms for entertaining guests were built during private parties hosted by the prince. The architect Quintiliano Raimondi mirrored the eclectic taste of the time, with the mix of classic and stately elements, as well as Nordic, Gothic, Moorish and Greek ones. Almost all of the decorations of the theater were built by Constantine Brumidi, an artist who was little-known in Italy, but was famous in the United States where he frescoed the Capitol in Washington, earning him the nickname of "Michelangelo of America."
Villa Torlonia has now become part of the city's Casa dei Teatri e della Drammaturgia Contemporanea network, and it will host theater residencies, shows, plays and workshops.
