Teatro San Benedetto

The Teatro San Benedetto was a theatre in Venice, particularly prominent in the operatic life of the city in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

The small, elegant theatre was first constructed by Michele Grimani on land owned by the Venier family.

In 1766 the ownership of the San Benedetto passed from Grimani to a consortium of patrician families in Venice who had been box holders at the theatre.

In 1782 Teatro San Benedetto hosted the ball in honour of Count and Countess De Nord, Russian prince Pavel Petrovich and his spouse, visiting Venice.

In 1937 the building was completely remodelled as a movie theater, the Cinema Rossini, with a new facade by the Italian architect Carlo Scarpa.

Francesco Guardi . The Dinner and Ball in honour of Count and Countess De Nord . Teatro San Benedetto, 22nd January 1782
Set design by Francesco Bagnara for the production of L'italiana in Algeri at the Teatro San Benedetto in 1826