Savoia, a beautiful region located in northwest Italy, has played an integral role in the development of Italian theater over the centuries. From ancient Roman amphitheaters to modern-day performance spaces, Savoia boasts a rich theatrical heritage that attracts visitors from all around the world.
One of the earliest examples of theater in Savoia can be found in the ancient Roman city of Augusta Praetoria Salassorum, now known as Aosta. Here, in the first century AD, the Romans built a magnificent amphitheater that could seat up to 4,000 spectators. While much of the amphitheater is now in ruins, visitors can still marvel at the impressive stone structure and imagine what it must have been like to watch gladiators and wild beasts perform in the arena.
During the Middle Ages, traveling troupes of performers entertained audiences throughout Savoia, often performing in town squares or outside churches. These performances ranged from religious dramas to comedic plays and helped to keep theater alive during a time when many forms of entertainment were frowned upon by the church.
In the Renaissance, Savoia became a hub for Italian theater. The dukes of Savoy were patrons of the arts, and they lavished attention on the theatrical productions of their court. In 1679, a brand new opera house was built in Turin, designed by architect Filippo Juvarra. This opulent space, known as the Teatro Regio, quickly became one of the most important cultural institutions in Italy, drawing performers and audiences from across the country.
In the nineteenth century, Savoia was a hotbed of theatrical innovation. The playwright Carlo Goldoni, who lived in Venice but frequently traveled to Savoia, revolutionized Italian theater with his witty, fast-paced comedies. His work was so popular that his collaborator, the composer Baldassare Galuppi, nicknamed Goldoni "the Gustavus Adolphus of Italian comedy," after the famous Swedish king who led sophisticated reforms on the battlefield.
Today, Savoia remains a vibrant center of theater and the arts. The Teatro Regio in Turin continues to attract world-class performers and audiences, and many smaller venues throughout the region are devoted to showcasing local talent. Visitors can take in a variety of performances, from classical plays to modern dance productions, that reflect the rich traditions of Italian theater. Truly, for any lover of the arts, there is no better place to experience the magic of theater than in beautiful Savoia.