Teatro Petruzzelli is Bari’s largest theatre, and the fourth in Italy by size. It is located right in the center of Apulia’s main city. The theatre, designed by engineer Angelo Cicciomessere, and frescoed by Raffaele Armenise, was decorated with pure gold and, quite an innovation at the time, was equipped with heating and electricity, holding 2,192 seats. It opened on Saturday February 14, 1903, with Les Huguenots by Giacomo Meyerbeer. In 1954 the theatre was declared “Monument of historical and artistic interest” and preserved by law. In 1973, due to the high quality of its activities, it was officially recognized as “Theatre of tradition”. The interior was used as a location by directors such as Franco Zeffirelli, who shot there Young Toscanini, and Alberto Sordi, director and actor of Polvere di stelle, also starring Monica Vitti. On the night of October 27, 1991, the theatre was devastated by fire, the result of arson, and its complete destruction was only avoided by the collapse of the dome, which put out the flames. Teatro Petruzzelli was wonderfully rebuilt with public funds and was returned to the City of Bari on September 7, 2009. The new theatre now holds 1,480 seats. Since 2010 it is the main venue of Bif&st activities (www.fondazionepetruzzelli.it).
