Considered an architectural marvel of 19th-century neoclassic Italian theatres, Teatro Mancinelli, which is Orvieto's Opera House, was designed by Roman architect Virginio Vespignani in 1858, and opened in 1866 when Marino Mancinelli conducted Donizetti’s “La Favorita”. In 1922, the theatre became known as Teatro Mancinelli in honour of Marino Mancinelli and his brother, the composer Luigi Mancinelli, both of whom came from Orvieto. Vespignani suggested that the interior decoration which was done from 1863-6 should be commissioned from Perugian Annibale Angelini and Orvietan Cesare Fracassini. The theatre was restored in the early 90s and is reknown for its operatic productions, dramas, plays and jazz concerts, as well as its excellent acoustics. Arriving in Orvieto for a guided tour of the theatre, we were so impressed by the beauty of the space that we bought box tickets for the upcoming performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto, which was absolutely superb.
The richly decorated interior of the theatre was painted by Cesare Fracassini
Fabulous series of allegorical frescoes on the ceiling
A splendid chandelier hangs from the richly decorated ceiling
Three tiers of elegant boxes surround the sumptuous 19th-century opera hall
A masterpiece by Cesare Fracassini, the impressive stage curtain depicts the historic event of 535 AD when the Byzantine general Belisarius and his army drove the Goths from Orvieto
The soaring barrel-vaulted foyer of the Blue Room
Interior painted by Cesare Fracassini with ceiling depicting the four seasons:
Spring with the triumph of love, Summer with winnowing, Autumn with the return from the grape harvest, and Winter with the boar hunt
Detail of column hand painted by Cesare Fracassini
The brushwork, palette and fluid movement of even the smallest detail was astounding
Poster we saw during our tour of the Teatro that inspired us to buy tickets for the performance
Arriving for the evening performance of Rigoletto at Teatro Mancinelli in Orvieto,
which was designed by Virginio Vespignani in 1858
Caffe del Teatro Mancinelli beside the theatre where patrons can enjoy a drink or something to nibble on enduring the intermission
Selection of assorted hors d'oeuvres available in Caffe del Teatro Mancinelli for just €5
Seated in a private centre box at the Teatro Mancinelli,
we were thrilled with the superb seats for the evenings production of Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto
Talented soprano Nofar Yacobi in the lead role of Gilda sang beautifully
Scene during Rigoletto
The cast of of Rigoletto taking a bow
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