A few days ago we told you about de The box of time, the smallest museum in the world located in Arzachena, in Sardinia. Also in Italy there is another small jewel (in the true sense of the word) that holds a prestigious record: the Concordia Theater in Monte Castello di Vibio (Perugia). This is in fact the smallest theater in the world!
«Civilization is not measured in square meters and cubature.»
Shows for a few close friends
To make theater you don't necessarily need an immense space to host thousands of spectators. A small corner is enough to unleash your artistic vein: a stage, a courtyard or even a small room. However for theater, that is the actual structure, it is necessary to respect some guidelines: a section for guests, one for the actors, the stage, the acoustics, etc.. Following this scheme they have been created over time increasingly majestic theaters, able to enchant the public even before the performance. Then there are those who think small, not caring about all this. This is the case of the Teatro della Concordia, recognized as the theater in Goldonian style smallest in the world. Less than 100 seats gathered in a treasure chest of other times, among centenary frescoes and paintings.
The Teatro della Concordia
Built in 1808, the Teatro della Concordia is a living testimony of the love that a human being can have for their land. In fact, some families from Monte Castello wanted it, eager to donate to the small village a place of culture and entertainment. However, both for economic reasons and for the needs of the population, a modest structure was built, far from the sumptuous theaters of the time. But why Teatro della Concordia? Given the historical context (Napoleonic domination) and the growing charm of a France increasingly at the center of the world, it was decided to pay homage to it in this way. According to the authors, the word concordia had to postpone to the ideals of the French Revolution: freedom, equality and brotherhood.
Cesare Agretti, an Umbrian artist, created the various decorations, the backdrops and the tarpaulin. The frescoes were instead made by son Luigi. Nothing unusual, were it not for the fact that at the time he had not yet turned fifteen. Despite Luigi's inexperience, however, the final work was of a level comparable to that of many established artists.
To safeguard the small theater the owners founded, in 1827, theAcademy of the members of the Teatro la Concordia. Throughout the nineteenth century, shows of all kinds followed one another inside, until the beginning of the twentieth century when the theater experienced a phase of ups and downs. In addition to the performances, collapses, the concession of its internal premises to the army and various kinds of reconstructions alternated. This until the 90s when it was renovated and reopened to the public, with registration over 150 thousand entries in less than 24 years.
