Teatro Ventidio Basso

In order to build a larger arena, a design was commissioned in 1827 from Ireneo Aleandri and construction pursued from 1840 to 1846, when it stopped due to lack of funds.

However construction was then sponsored by the engineer Marco Massimi and the merchant Gabriele Gabrielli, and directed by the architect Giambattista Carducci.

The atrium is decorated with stucco statues by Giorgio and Emidio Paci, depicting Apollo and Minerva, the muses of tragedy, comedy, music, and dance.

The theater ceiling was decorated by Ferdinando Cicconi, with medallions depicting Donizetti, Rossini, Bellini, and Verdi.

Another sipario depicts the Triumph of Ventidio Basso for his Victory over the Parthians by Vincenzo Podesti (brother of Francesco).