The Teatro Regio (“Royal Theater”) is the Opera House of Parma. Construction of the building was commissioned by Maria Luigia of Habsburg (aka. Mrs. Napoleon). After its inauguration, the Teatro Farnese in the Palazzo della Pilotta, located almost next door, was completely abandoned.
Teatro Regio Parma
Useful information
Address: Strada Garibaldi, 16/a – 43121 Parma. Phone: (+39) 0521 203911. Opening hours: From September 1 to June 30, from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10.00 to 12.30 (last admission) and from 15.00 till 17.30 (last admission). Price: 4 Euros. The guided tours take around 30 minutes and comprise the Foyer, the Platea and the Sala del Ridotto.
History and description
The inauguration of the Teatro Regio took place on May 16th, 1829. The first work to be produced was Vincenzo Bellini’s Zaira. Unfortunately, almost everything went wrong and Bellini and Mrs. Napoleon had to endure whistles by the audience.
By a stroke of luck, Giuseppe Verdi was born in 1813, at a distance of around 20 miles (35 km) from Parma. Once he started having his operas performed in the theater, it became a popular opera venue.
The original name was Nuovo Teatro Ducale.
Each October, the Teatro Regio hosts a Verdi Festival.