Venice Water Taxi

Teatro La Fenice

This Venice theatre and opera house is one of the most famous in Europe, international big name stars have graced the stage over the last 200 years since the curtain first went up. La Fenice (the Phoenix) got its name when the original San Benedetto Theatre burnt to the ground in 1774 and then rose like a phoenix, being rebuilt bigger and better than ever. The theatre reopened in 1792, designed by Antonio Selva, with a performance of Giuochi di Agrigento by Giovanni Paisiello only to burn down again in 1836 and it was rebuilt within a year. The theatre had another encounter with fire, this time at the hands of arsonists, in 1996 but has been faithfully restored. The restoration took 650 days, cost €90 million and was designed by Aldo Rossi based on photos of the theatre in 1954.

From the exterior the building is neoclassical. Today's theatre can seat 1,000 in the audience. There are 5 levels of seating in ornate boxes around the walls of the auditorium as well as seating on the ground level. On the ceiling are delicate pale blue and gold decorations and a chandelier. The stage is proscenium arch with an orchestra pit between the audience and the stage. Visitors and locals attend daily performances of opera, drama, dance and musical concerts.