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Le
Marche are rich in theatres, which bear witness to the cultural level of
this land and allow to perceive the focus on the arts of these areas.
In this region the most ancient testimonies of areas for theatrical shows
date back to the ancient Roman age.
Many of ancient theatres are now almost in ruins, as is the case in Ascoli
Piceno, Fermo, Villa Potenza, Jesi, Ostra, Acqualagna and Urbino.
Only the structures of the theatre and amphitheatre of Falerone and
Urbisaglia can now document their own space features linked to the Roman
culture of shows and circus games.
The spread of theatres coincided with the consolidation of the Marches’
economy in the 18th and 19th centuries, linked to
the social and cultural re-organization of towns.
The Italian-style theatre became the symbol of the different social
classes, in a period in which the distinction was clear between towns and
countryside.
Theatres represented the need of self-identification of towns; a whole
group of citizens exhibited themselves in galleries boxes.
Each town built that space renewing its urban features and at the
beginning of the 19th century theatres became the pivot of new
urban planning, as an element of urban decoration.
The 113 theatres mentioned in a survey of 1868 are perhaps the highest
expression of the importance of such spaces.
A great show tradition, whose vitality also influenced the talents of
Giovan Battista Pergolesi, Gaspare Spontini, Gioacchino Rossini.
At the beginning of the following century the changes occurred in many
coastal towns due to sea tourism provided a new impetus for the renewal of
theatre activities.
Theatres started to attract tourist during the summer season. An
north-south axis was created in the region, along which many theatre
companies travelled.
After the spread of cinema such spaces were deeply affected, with the
introduction of cine-theatres.
For many theatres this meant losing the central box, which was used to
place the motion picture camera, a radical transformation of the hall with
the simple organization into stalls and balcony.
After years of neglect, theatres were restored and are now awaiting the
beginning of a “modern” cultural life.
© 2009 Liberation Ventures Ltd.
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