TEATRO SOCIALE VILLANI DI BIELLA

Situated on the north side of Piazza Martiri della Libertà, it was built in 1863 to a project by the architect Giuseppe Bollati. It was opened two years later, in August 1865, with the performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s opera ‘Ernani’. In 1892 a fire caused extensive damage, destroying the stage, stalls and the annexed areas, leaving only the façade intact and requiring the rebuilding of the whole interior, to a design by the architect Sfondrini, who changed some of the proportions to improve the acoustics and visibility. It was officially reopened in 1895 with Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida. Today, the Teatro Sociale Villani hosts the performances of the theatrical season.