Teatro Regio (Parma)

Teatro Regio di Parma is a famous 19th century opera house and opera company in Parma, Italy. The theatre was originally known as the Teatro Ducale.

The construction was begun in 1821 by Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma on the location of the former Monastery of St. Alexander. The design was by Nicola Bettoli. It was inaugurated in 1829 with Vincenzo Bellini's Zaira.

The theatre is closely associated with the composer Verdi (who lived in nearby Busseto) and conductor Arturo Toscanini, who was born in Parma.

Its season runs from mid-December to mid-April and the company mounts some four productions per year, but since 2004 it has mounted an annual "Festival Verdi" each October with the aim of presenting every Verdi opera by the bi-centennial year of the composer's birth. The Festival includes associated discussions and other relevant presentations.

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