Fighting for Freedom

A new start for 'Il Trionfo di Clelia'?
GIUSEPPE PENNISI has his doubts

On 14 May 2013, the Teatro Comunale di Bologna celebrated two hundred and fifty years since its inauguration. It is not an ordinary opera theatre. The architects, the Bibbiena brothers, gave it a new style in opera houses design. Although the auditorium has been modified during the two and a half centuries since -- eg an orchestra pit was built, a royal box was set at the center of the second row of boxes, and the baignoire at stage level were transformed into boxes -- the basic design has not changed...

CHRISTOPH WILLIBALD GLUCK

GERMANY

ITALY

PIETRO METASTASIO

OPERA SERIA

EIGHTEENTH CENTURY