Teatro Bibiena, Mantua, Italy

Constructed for the Royal Virgilian Academy of Science and Arts (Accademia Virgiliana), the Teatro Bibiena di Mantova was designed in late Baroque or early Rococo style by Antonio Galli Bibiena and erected between 1767 and 1769. With a bell-shaped floorplan and four rows of boxes, it followed the new style of theatres then in vogue. It was intended to host both theatre productions and concerts, and scientific discourses and conventions. Bibiena also provided the monochrome frescoes in the interior. The theatre is now considered to be his most important work.

It was opened officially on 3 December 1769. A few weeks later, on 16 January 1770, thirteen-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart played a concert here, with resounding success.

In 1773, Giuseppe Piermarini, who constructed the neighbouring palazzo for the Accademia Virgiliana, designed and built the façade of the theatre.

Still used for its original purposes, it now can also be visited by tourists as one of Mantua's museums. The theatre is relatively small, with a scene 12,3 metres wide and 5,6 metres deep, and a maximum audience of 363 persons.

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User Reviews

Joao Figueiredo (6 months ago)
The ticket is only 3 euros per adult. The kids went free. You get access to the theatre main room and a couple of the boxes. It is small but perfectly formed and gorgeous. Mozart performed here as a teenager shortly after it opened. It also was a welcomed respite from the heat!

Devansh (7 months ago)
It’s a small they’re, however very old and beautifully designed.

Claire Tefariki (11 months ago)
Simply amazing!!! I wish I could have assisted a live performance here, in the same theatre 14 year-old Mozart played!!

Stefano Paturi (2 years ago)
The marvel !!!! So unique ! Don’t miss. The architect created so many small private boxes given the theater a bell shape :). The boxes are also behind the stage. Mozart ( age 14) very first Italian performance!! A jewel not to missed !

Sofia Gallo (2 years ago)
Breathtaking and intimate space… well worth a visit ! I was the only one at the time, very peaceful but also evoked emotion. I would only hope to hear a concert in these halls one day, I heard they start the itinerary in September

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