The Olimpico Theater in Vicenza

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Time does not spare wooden structures created by human hands. Unfortunately, medieval theaters were built of wood, and mostly descriptions have survived to this day. It can be considered a real miracle that even today we can see the Olimpico theater in the Italian city of Vicenza. This theater, along with Farnese in Parma and Al Antica in Sabbioneta, has been preserved since the Renaissance.

A few words about Vicenza

Before talking in detail about the Olimpico theater in Vicenza, a few words about the city itself. It was founded, according to archaeological data, between the 7th and 11th centuries on a fertile plain, at the base of the Monti Berichi mountains. Vicenza, with a population of 120,000, is located on both banks of the navigable Bacchiglione river.

Glorified this city by the famous architect of the late Italian Renaissance - Andrea Palladio. Theatre"Olympico" (Teatro Olimpico) is not his only creation: the central city square dei Signori and Villa Cara, the Palladio Basilica decorated Vicenza. Its architectural traditions were continued by the famous natives of this city, the masters of Scamozzi and Palladio.

Project author

To build a permanent theater "Olimpico" in his hometown of Vicenza Palladio, the great Italian architect, conceived after his return in 1579. It is worth noting that Andrea Palladio is not his real name, but a creative pseudonym. His original name was Andrea di Pietro della Gondola, and he changed his name only at the age of 30. He was born in Padua in 1508 in the family of a bricklayer. The boy began working with his father at the age of 10, and at 13 he fled to the neighboring town of Vicenza. Here he began to study with the master Bartolomeo Cavazza, while simultaneously earning his living as a stone carver. However, Palladio became an active architect already at a “respectable” age, as he studied the speci alty and heritage of ancient Greek and Roman masters for a long time. It was Andrea Palladio who managed not only to preserve the principles and concepts of ancient architecture, but also to transform and adapt them to the conditions of contemporary life. In total, Palladio created more than forty different buildings: villas, temples, residential buildings and public buildings, bridges and dams, tombs, located mainly in Vicenza and its environs, as well as in the Veneto region.

Creative Intent

Before obtaining a building permit in 1579 and starting to build a theaterOlimpico, Andrea Palladio created several temporary theaters in Vicenza. Initially, they wanted to use wood for the construction of a permanent theater, but after Palladio presented his project, the leadership of the Olympic Academy and the city decided to build a stone building, but there were not enough allocated funds for its construction. The way out of the situation was found by the chairman of the Academy, who proposed to install forever, as a sign of gratitude and gratitude, sculptural portraits of patrons on the stage of the Teatro Olimpico. Thanks to this original move, Vicenza received an excellent theater, and patrons who donated funds received statues that still stand on its stage.

Construction history

After the funding problem was resolved and the project approved, construction began on the building. The Olimpico Theater in Vicenza, which served as the prototype for most theatrical structures in the world, began to be built in late 1579 - early 1580. The impetus for the start of the construction of this structure was the permission of the city authorities, issued by the famous architect and founder of the Olympic Academy - Andrea Palladio. The city allocated for the construction of a permanent theater the place where the ancient fortification was located - Castello del Territorio, previously used as a gunpowder warehouse and a prison. Just six months after the start of construction, the author of the Olimpico Theater project, Palladio, suddenly died.

Continued construction worktheater building son Andrea Palladio - Strength. After him, the construction was completed by another outstanding Italian architect - Scamozzi. Based on the drawings of the author of the project, he managed to introduce his own elements, such as an arched passage to the courtyard through the medieval fortress wall, the Antiodeo and Odeo halls. It is important to emphasize that it was Vincenzo Scamozzi who created the scenery that made this theater famous.

The Olimpico Theater in Vicenza opened on March 3, 1585 with a production of Sophocles' tragedy Oedipus Rex.

Olimpico structure

When you enter the theatre, you will first of all find yourself in the "Antiodeo" hall, decorated with monochrome frescoes depicting the most important events in the life of Vicenza in the 16th century. Then we go to the Sala dell'Odèo, the walls of which are painted with colored frescoes. Both of these halls, "Odeo" and "Antiodeo", are now used for business conferences and meetings.

After passing the halls with frescoes, we find ourselves in a small, by modern standards, room. It houses an amphitheater, an orchestra and a stage. The auditorium is decorated with wooden columns painted in marble, and the stage is made of the same material. It is worth noting that the Olimpico Theater got its name thanks to the frescoes depicting the Olympian gods and decorating the room for musicians. The ceiling in this room depicts the sky.

The wooden stage is an architectural decoration made in the form of a triumphal arch with streets extending from it, written onflattened relief and creating the illusion of depth. Statues and columns support the play of proportions.

Modern Life

Despite its rather venerable age, the Olimpico Theater lives a rather active life: it hosts musical performances, and theater performances and plays are staged.

However, in order to preserve this monument of culture and architecture, included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Register, its capacity is limited to only 400 spectators. Theatrical performances are held there only in autumn and spring. This is explained by the fact that the building is not adapted to both summer and winter operating conditions: it does not have heating and air conditioning systems. They are not installed on purpose, as studies have shown the possibility of damage to wooden structures in the event of their installation and operation.