The theatre was built between 1778 and 1780 to designs by Alessio Lorenzini and with the funds provided by the city’s middle-class citizens, in opposition to the Teatro del Pavone, reserved to the nobility. It was inaugurated in 1781 with the name Teatro del Verzaro and only later dedicated to the Perugia-born musician Francesco Morlacchi (1774-1841). In 1874, the building was remodelled to designs by the architect Guglielmo Calderini and redecorated by Moretti, Tassi and Verga. It became municipal property in 1942.