| From
the origins to the 1996 fire
1807-1835
"Napoleonic" refurbishment and later restoration work
1st December 1807: Napoleon's
visit
During French rule (1806-1814), a temporary loggia is built for Napoleon's
visit to Venice, in the absence of an official royal box. The following
year Selva, who had overseen preparations for the royal visit, is appointed
to design a permanent box especially for the emperor.
4th June 1808: call for tenders
for new decorations
It is decided that new decorations are needed for the auditorium. Prior
to the "Napoleonic" refurbishment work at La Fenice, the previous
year work had been carried out at La Scala Theatre in Milan, capital of
the Kingdom of Italy. As well as the money for the project (150,000 Lire),
Milan also provides guidelines for "the construction of the Government
Loggia for La Fenice Theatre, to occupy six small boxes" and new
decorations. Giuseppe Borsato wins the competition run by the Academy
of Fine Arts.
26th December 1808
Borsato's decidedly Empire-style project features a structure of regular
geometrical compartments around a Triumph of Apollo on a chariot, surrounded
by a chorus of the Muses. While obviously suited to a theatre, his project
is a clear allusion to the new potentate who, in the best baroque tradition,
is likened to the sun god.
The new imperial loggia becomes the fulcrum of the theatre auditorium,
inaugurated on 26th December.
1825-1828
In 1825 radical restoration work becomes necessary since "the ruling
authorities have repeatedly expressed their dissatisfaction at the indecent
state of the decorations in the auditorium, due both to the elements and
smoke from the oil lamps." Giuseppe Borsato, official set-designer
at the theatre, is appointed once again to oversee the new project. A
huge chandelier, hung from a cloister vault, becomes the focal point of
the auditorium. To replace Apollo's chariot, Borsato chooses to depict
the twelve hours of the night. For the balustrades of the boxes he designs
monochrome decorations with acanthus leaves, musical instruments, swags
and cherubs.
The new auditorium is inaugurated on 27th December
1828.
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