Alfonso Rendano Theatre

The Alfonso Rendano Theatre in Cosenza stands majestically in Piazza XV Marzo, in the heart of the historic centre of Cosenza Vecchia. The Rendano Theatre is the first traditional theatre in Calabria, dedicated to the famous composer and pianist from Cosenza who invented the third pedal on the piano. Today, it boasts the title of National Monument. One of the most beautiful and important theatres in the region, the Rendano Theatre was designed by the architect Zumpano, begun in 1887 and inaugurated in 1909 with a performance of Verdi's Aida. The building, in Neoclassical style with an Eclectic Umbertine façade, is characterised by a large portico with pillars decorated with smooth rustication and an upper floor with balconies.

The Rendano Theatre is an Italian-style theatre, i.e. horseshoe-shaped, with a capacity of 800 seats distributed over three tiers of boxes and the gallery. It was originally decorated with paintings and stuccoes that were destroyed during the bombings of the Second World War, particularly on the ceiling, which was created by the Cosenza painter Enrico Salfi. The original historic curtain, depicting the arrival in the city of the Duke of Calabria Luigi III d'Angiò and Margherita di Savoia, a work by the Neapolitan Paolo Vetri (1901), has been preserved. The stage, with a depth of 14 metres, hosts opera performances, plays, symphony concerts, dance performances and conferences.