An evening at the Cilea Theatre
The temple that houses the glorious artistic tradition of Reggio
The building was built at the end of the second decade of the 19th century and was named after the Palmese musician Francesco Cilea. The Cilea Theatre is characterized by its elegant foyer and large red curtain on the proscenium, featuring especially sophisticated architecture and furnishings nearly a decade after the restoration that returned it to the city.
A prestigious stage
The Cilea Theatre comes to life in the area that was occupied by the ancient Town Hall before the 1908 earthquake. The structure’s exterior recalls forms of classical architecture, while inside, the great 19th century style hall resembles a horseshoe. The history of the Reggio theatre has its roots in the early 20th century and boasts a long, lavish tradition that has seen the big names of theatre, dance, and above all opera, such as the divine Maria Callas and Luciano Pavarotti, take the stage.
DID YOU KNOW THAT …?
The north wing of the Theatre houses the Municipal Art Gallery of Reggio with very important works by well-known authors including Mattia Preti, Luca Giordano, Pietro Bernini, Antonello da Messina, Alonso Rodriguez (allievo di Caravaggio), Guttuso, and many others.
A theatrical season that never disappoints
Every year the Cilea Theatre offers a rich programme of events that never leaves the audience disappointed. In addition to the Cilea season, works by local theatre groups are represented, such as the Compagnia Scena Nuda (the “Nude Scene Company”) with its Festival of Contemporary Myths which every year attracts thousands of spectators who love classic opera, or the Officine dell’Arte (the “Art Workshops”) that this year proposed Sorridi con noi (“Smile with us”), a season full of laughter that brought the greatest Italian comedians to the stage.
