The Goldoni Theatre, built between 1843 and 1847 and named “Imperial and Royal Theatre Leopoldo” in honour of Grand-Duke Leopoldo II of Lorraine, was inaugurated on 24 July 1847.
Construction of the building was entrusted to the young architect, Giuseppe Cappellini, assisted by master builder Benedetto Malfanti. After a few years, the structure began to deteriorate rapidly as a result of neglect by its new owner, Giuseppe Varoli. Bought by the Consul Pandely Rodocanacchi, the Leopoldo was renovated between 1853 and 1855 and restored to its original condition.
In 1859, following the expulsion of the Lorraines, it was named the Caporali Theatre. In 1860 it was named after Carlo Goldoni, who had staged the comedy “Tonin bella grazia” in Livorno and set his “Holiday Triology” - “Le smanie per la villeggiatura”, “Le avventure” and “Il ritorno dalla villeggiatura” – in the city.
After 1890 the Goldoni Theatre became a part of the city’s collective historic memory: two great personalities, Pietro Mascagni and Galliano Masini appeared there, while the painter, Renato Natali, immortalized it in his canvases.
During the nineteen hundreds there were numerous changes in ownership, until it was declared unfit for use during the mid-eighties. In 1990 it was bought by the Livorno City Council, and following complex restoration works was handed back to the city on 24 January 2004.
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