Magnani Theatre

Fidenza’s municipal theatre was built on the site of an ancient church dedicated to St Francis. The works started in 1812 following the designs of neoclassical architect Nicola Bettoli and the building was inaugurated on 26 October 1861 with a performance of Il Trovatore by Giuseppe Verdi.

The interior decorations were painted by talented painter and scenographer Girolamo Magnani, from Fidenza, to whom the theatre is dedicated. In celebration of the 15Oth anniversary of the theatre in 2011, the newly-restored camera acustica (acoustic chamber) was unveiled to the public. It features a series of painted wood-framed canvas panels intended to be mounted on the stage on special occasions. The acoustic chamber was commissioned to Girolamo Magnani in 1871 and was discovered in the theatre at the beginning of 2010.