| Not only does As.Li.Co.
promote the professional growth of young artists throughout
Europe, it provides a debut venue that is unrivaled in its
beauty and historical significance.
 Teatro
Sociale in Como in Como, Italy. Nestled in the city’s
cobble-stoned “old” town, caddy-corner from the
historic, neo-classical cathedral (Duomo), the theater sits
on the shores of one of Italy’s most renowned and magnificent
lakes, Lake Como. Built from the ruins of a 13th century castle,
Teatro Sociale di Como echoes with the voices and musical
genius of those that have graced its stage over the past 190
years:
Giuditta Pasta, Malibran, Tamagno, Gigli, Pertile, Schipa,
Valletti, Merli, Galeffi, Filippeschi, Basiola, Del Monaco,
Tagliabue, Pasero, Bechi, Poggi, Stabile, Bastianini, Rossi
Le Meni, Bruscantini, Taddei, Di Stefano, Bergonzi, Kraus,
Dara, Montarsolo, Giacomini, Nucci; Dal Monte, Dalla Rizza,
Adami Corradetti, Pacetti, Elmo, Simionato, Favero, Pagliughi,
Cigna, Barbieri, Carosio, Caniglia, Zeani, Scotto, Olivero,
Kabaivanska, Devia, as well as great conductors from Toscanini
to Muti.
Dates of historical interest:
- 1813 – August 28 – The curtain
rises on the first performance in the theater.
- 1823 – Como audiences marvel at
the genius and virtuosity of violin master, Nicolò
Paganini.
- 1829 – Giuditta Pasta appears
in Rossini’s Tancredi.
- 1837 - Franz Liszt performs his La
Serenata e L'Orgia before Como audiences.
- 1892 – Composer Ruggero Leoncavallo
personally attends the first Como performance of I Pagliacci.
- 1899 – Electric lights illuminate
the stage, main rooms, and foyers.
- 1905 – Pietro Mascagni attends
performances of his opera Iris, conducted by Tullio
Serafin.
- 1906 - Mascagni directs a performance
of his opera, Amica. Local police are called to
manage the overwhelming crowd of supporters and enthusiasts.
- 1911 - Franz Lehàr chooses
Teatro Sociale for the Italian debut of his operetta, Gypsy
Love.
- 1932 - Mascagni returns to direct
a performance of Isabeau.
- 1943 - Damages due to war force Teatro
alla Scala from its home. La Scala takes up residence at
Teatro Sociale bringing some of the opera world’s
most renowned artists to Como and the Teatro Sociale stage.
- 1948 - Umberto Giordano attends Como’s
first performance of his opera Fedora.
- 1984-88 – Theater was closed for
restoration. Theater restored to original state.
- 2002 - Becomes the permanent home for
As.Li.Co. productions.
The seating capacity of the theater is 999 with 398 orchestra
seats. 299 box seats, and 302 gallery seats.
For further information about the city of Como and Teatro
Sociale di Como’s theater season—ballet, concerts,
theater for children, etc.—go to www.teatrosocialedicomo.it.
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