Located in the centre of Ancona, between the port and the shopping streets, the Teatro delle Muse, named after the tenor Franco Corelli, is one of the city's cultural landmarks. With its monumental exterior and surprisingly contemporary interior, it is now the largest theatre in the Marche region and one of the most important in central Italy.

A history spanning two centuries

Built in 1827 to a design by the architect Pietro Ghinelli, the theatre was originally known as the 'Teatro Nuovo' and quickly established itself as a landmark for the city. Its elegant Neoclassical façade, with its five-arched portico in Istrian stone, reflects Ancona's tradition of monumental architecture. Damaged during the Second World War, it remained closed for decades, until its grand reopening on 13 October 2002. Since then, the Teatro delle Muse has once again become a vibrant space at the heart of the city's cultural life.

A theatre-piazza: the contemporary project

While the exterior retains its original charm, the interior tells a different story. The redevelopment project, designed by architects Danilo Guerri and Paola Salmoni, has completely redesigned the spaces, transforming them into a kind of 'covered piazza'. Wood, metal, brick and stone combine to create open, dynamic spaces, designed to be places for meeting as well as for performance. As a result, the atrium, the foyer and the ballroom have become public spaces, in keeping with the city, while historic features such as the entrance staircase and part of the original atrium have been preserved and incorporated into the new design. The result is a balance between the past and the present, in which the theatre opens up to the city and reflects its identity.

Facts and figures: one of the largest theatres in the Marche region

With over 1,100 seats, the Teatro delle Muse is the largest theatre in the Marche region. The main auditorium can seat over a thousand spectators, and it is flanked by spaces such as the Ridotto (with around 180 seats) and the more intimate Sala Melpomene. The stage, which measures approximately 360 square metres (plus the apron stage), allows for large-scale productions, while the movable orchestra pit further expands the theatrical possibilities. One of the theatre's most distinctive features is its fire curtain, the only one of its kind in Europe, created by the Marche sculptor Valeriano Trubbiani: a magnificent work of art depicting Trajan's triumph and symbolising the rebirth of theatre. The theatre is also equipped with modern spaces for artists and the public, including rehearsal rooms, dressing rooms, a foyer, and areas for events and cultural activities.

A vibrant cultural hub

The theatre is owned by the Municipality of Ancona and managed by Marche Teatro, and it has been recognised by the Ministry of Culture as a Theatre of Significant Cultural Interest. The programme is rich and varied: from opera to drama, from ballet to concerts, and even jazz. The main season takes place between winter and spring, while in the summer, some of the activities move to the evocative setting of the Mole Vanvitelliana.