Teatro Sociale (Social Theater), Bergamo

Social Theatre is a historic theater designed by Leopoldo Pollack in 1803. It stands as a remarkable example of Italian-style theater architecture. Despite its imposing volume, the theater is seamlessly integrated into the intricate architectural fabric of the surrounding streets. The initiative to build the theater came from a group of noble citizens, and it quickly became the most prominent theater in the city during the 19th century.

The Teatro Sociale features an oval stalls area and 86 boxes distributed over three levels, which are topped by a gallery. With a seating capacity of 1300, including 88 boxes, the theater was a hub of cultural and social activities. From its inauguration on December 26, 1808, under the name Teatro della Società, the venue hosted a variety of performances and events. Over the years, it expanded its repertoire to include operettas and exhibitions of modern technologies like the gramophone and the cinematograph.

However, the theater's golden era came to an end in the 1920s, and it ceased operations in 1929. Subsequently, it fell into disrepair and was abandoned for several decades. It wasn't until 2009 that the theater underwent an extensive renovation and was finally reopened to the public.

In the spring of 2009, the Teatro Sociale returned to its former glory and resumed hosting various performances. With the restoration of the Donizetti Theater, the Teatro Sociale became the venue for the renowned Donizetti Opera Festival and the Opera Season since 2017. Notable productions held at the theater include "Olivo and Pasquale" in 2016, and the festival editions of 2017 ("The Burgomaster of Saardam"), 2018 ("Enrico di Borgogna" and "Il castello di Kenilworth"), and 2019 ("Peter the Great" and "Lucrezia Borgia").