This wonderful gem was the first resident theatre in Europe. After building Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, architect Vincenzo Scamozzi designed this one on the orders of duke Vespasiano, in 1588; it was built in 1588-1590.
The elegant façade is divided in two parts: the lower one is rusticated, while the upper one has Doric pilasters and lines. Along the stringcourse, you can read architect Sebastiano Serio’s motto: ROMA QVANTA FVIT IPSA RVINA DOCET – id est, the ruins of Rome say how great it was. The inner hall is divided in two squares; the cavea is in one of them. The back entrance for actors and musicians, who could directly get to their dressing rooms this way, was a great innovation.
Scamozzi designed a resident backcloth for the stage, which was destroyed in late XVIII century. It depicted a city perspective, which the stage and ceiling slope made deeper; the ceiling itself was stuccoed and sky-blue-frescoed. The city buildings were made of wood, stucco, and painted canvases, while some side frescoes completed the backcloth: a barbershop is still visible.
Only the loggia and its statues of Olympus gods are original; the statues and the loggia stuccoes were designed by Scamozzi and realized by sculptor Bernardino Quadri. Behind the loggia there are monochrome portraits of Roman emperors and four busts depicting three commanders and Cybele.
Two large frescoes depict triumphal arcs and views of Rome, such as Capitol square and Castel Sant’Angelo. A writing on the right trabeation says that Emperor Rudolf II awarded Vespasiano Gonzaga the title of duke in 1577.
All along the upper part of the hall, a fresco depicts a loggia with mosaics, ladies and knights dressing late XVI century clothings. This reminds of Paolo Veronese’s frescoes in Villa Barbaro, Maser.
The theatre was inaugurated in 1590 and had a resident company until the death of duke Vincenzo. After that, it had a very long period of decline, as the full Sabbioneta did.