Teatro Olimpico, Vicenza, Italy, 1584

The Teatro Olimpico, translated from Italian as Olympic Theater, is a spectacular Renaissance Theatre located in Vicenza, a town near Venice, Italy. It is a hidden gem built inside an abandoned fortress and prison, yet one of Vicenza’s artistic wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is considered the absolute climax of creativity of one of the greatest Italian Architects, Andrea Palladio (who was openly inspired by the Roman theaters described by Vitruvius).2

Tetro Olympic designed by Andrea Palladio.

The beginning of the theatre can be traced back to 1580, the year in which Andrea Palladio, at the age of 72, was commissioned a permanent theatre by the Accademia Olimpica – a group of scholars in Vicenza who sought to recreate the theatrical productions of classical antiquity, onto which he belonged to himself.1 The 16^th century in Italy was an era of rising popularity for the performing arts. Theaters grew popular not only as a cultural form but as a mode of entertainment. Although theatrical productions existed beforehand, they mostly consisted of religious enactments staged on temporary platforms in outdoor spaces.3 However, with the Teatro Olimpico, performances were successfully brought indoors, fortunately, due to Palladio’s studies of the writings of the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius; whose Ten Books on Architecture explained how to construct a theater with its set decorations. Palladio’s design was made just a few months before his death, therefore he never saw the project’s finish, which was carried out and oversaw by his son Silla till its completion in 1583.   

Considering Palladio’s design was inspired by Vitruvius’ analysis on theatres, acknowledging its site, foundations and acoustics, the result was of an elliptical terrace circled by numerous “increasing circular waves…spreading indefinitely from the centre” (the ascending rows of seats in theatres as described by Vitruvius).4 In addition, the elliptical terraced auditorium is framed by a colonnade, with a frieze topped by statues. The stage itself is rectangular and perpendicular to a resplendent proscenium with two orders of architecture, and opened by three arcades. In between each opening there is a niche with statues of academics. The proscenium is also divided into 3 tiers: The bottom tier opens into the central triumphal arch (porta regia) and the two smaller side openings (hospitalia) beside it, the middle tier has niches with statues of scholars and the top tier has a series of metopes portraying the achievements of Hercules.2

Proscenium at the Teatro Olimpico.

Each of the seven opening on the proscenium grants visual access to projected avenues, conveying the appearance of a city.  Using linear perspective, these hallways heighten the illusion by using forced perspective, which increases a fictional sense of depth. These perspectival passageways are quite unique to the Olimpico.1

Plan of Teatro Olimpico illustrating the seven passageways. 

Parallel to the seating region, the ceiling plane is undistinguishable and was later painted blue with scattered clouds suggesting an open sky above the theater, as preceding theaters had been. In contrast to the soft ceiling above the spectators, the ceiling above the theater’s stage is elaborately articulated with architectural details and statues made of wood and plaster. In fact, Palladio and Vicenzo Scamozzi worked with very limited materials, but managed to build this marvelous theater using wood, plaster and stucco, ultimately creating the effect of white, polished marble.1

Contrast of ceiling between the soft blue skies and
detailed ceiling plate above the stage.

On March 3, 1585, Teatro Olimpico was inaugurated with the memorable production of Sophocles’ Oedipus the King. Unfortunately, despite its captivating qualities, the Teatro Olimpici quickly neglected after the first production. Its influence is substantial, nonetheless, in two northern Italian theaters built shortly after the Olimpico: the 1590 Teatro all’antica in Sabbioneta, and the 1618 Teatro Farnese in parma. Through it all, this unique Renaissance theater has miraculously survived for over four centuries and gives shape to the period’s knowledge of classical Roman architecture and puts into practice contemporary artistic developments like linear perspective. It is now considered the oldest Renaissance and oldest enclosed theater in Italy.

                           
1 Berzal De Dios, Javier, DR. "Khan Academy." Khan Academy. Khan Academy, n.d. Web.

2 "Vicenza's Teatro Olimpico (Olympic Theatre)." Italian Tourism Official Website. Italian Tourism Official Website, 23 Mar. 2015. Web.

3 "The Teatro Olimpico." Visit Palladio. Visit Palladio, n.d. Web.

4 Pollio, Vitruvius. 3: THE THEATRE: ITS SITE, FOUNDATIONS AND ACOUSTICSTHE THEATRE: ITS SITE, FOUNDATIONS AND ACOUSTICS. Vitruvius: The Ten Books on Architecture. Trans. M. H. Morgan. New York: Dover Publications, 1960. N. pag. Print.