There were approximately 8,000 inhabitants of Alba in 1852 and the Perucca, a theatre will just 26 boxes, was obviously unable to cope with such a considerable number of people. Thus, in 1855, a new theatre was opened: the Teatro Sociale, named after the architect who designed it, Giorgio Busca. The style is Neoclassical and, unlike the other theatres, the Sociale has two auditoriums which face each other, the historical and the modern auditoriums. The first is a minute sweet box upholstered with red satin, and can seat 300 spectators; while the second has 624 seats between stalls and gallery. Like many theatres, this too has been closed and reopened on several occasions. It was very active all the way through the 19th century, presenting coverts, operas, drama and conventions, before closing in 1933. Restoration work only began in 1986 and took eleven years. A concert by the Orchestra of the Regio di Torino marked the reopening in 1997..
