Duse Theatre

The Duse Theater in Bologna is one of the oldest and most prestigious theaters in the city, a true temple of prose that has seen some of the most important figures in Italian and international theater perform. Located in via Cartoleria, the theater was built in 1822 by the engineer Antonio Brunetti and initially called Teatro Brunetti. This building was built on the foundations of a previous Jesuit theater, the San Saverio, used for school performances since the mid-17th century. Throughout its history, the Duse Theater has undergone numerous changes and renovations. After the death of Antonio Brunetti, his heirs decided to renovate the structure, equipping it with two tiers of galleries and a gallery, with innovative gas lighting. In 1865, this new hall was inaugurated and the theater began hosting prose, opera, operetta, and concert performances, quickly becoming one of the most important cultural venues in Bologna. In 1898, the theater changed its name in honor of Eleonora Duse, one of the greatest Italian actresses of all time. Duse, famous for her intense and realistic performances, was forty years old at the time and at the peak of her career. The fact that a theater was named after her while she was still alive testifies to the enormous impact she had on the theatrical world. The theater was then renovated again in 1904 and during the 1940s, acquiring the appearance it still retains today. The theater has a capacity of 999 seats, distributed between the stalls, first and second galleries, and two tiers of boxes. The dimensions of the stage, with a width of 14 meters and a depth of 13.5 meters, allow for productions of great scope and scenic complexity. A turning point in the history of the Duse Theater occurred in 1963, when management passed to the Italian Theater Authority (ETI), which held the direction until 2010. This period was characterized by a varied and high-quality program, which helped strengthen the theater’s reputation nationally. However, with the abolition of the ETI in 2010, the future of the theater seemed uncertain. The rebirth of the Duse Theater began in 2011, when a group of impresarios decided to save it from closure. This new management, composed of prominent figures in the Italian theater scene, gave a strong impetus to the theater’s renewal, expanding the cultural offer to include not only prose performances, but also dance, music, and contemporary drama. This diversification has allowed the Duse Theater to attract a wider and more diverse audience, consolidating its position as a center of cultural excellence. The programming of the Duse Theater today is characterized by a wide variety of shows ranging from classics of Italian and international theater to contemporary and innovative productions. Collaboration with theater and artistic entities in the area has also allowed for the enhancement of local talents and the creation of a strong bond with the Bolognese community.