Music guide
Rossini Theatre in Pesaro: history and how to fit it into a visit
Updated 25 October 2026. The Rossini Theatre is Pesaro's musical heart, from 1818 to today. This guide summarises its history and how to include it in a Rossini route on foot from Cortirola.
From the Teatro del Sole to the Teatro Nuovo
According to the entry on Wikipedia, the theatre began as the Teatro Nuovo on the site of the earlier Teatro del Sole of 1637 and opened in 1818 with «La gazza ladra», conducted by Gioachino Rossini. The horseshoe-shaped hall has 860 seats and the present name dates from 1854.
The 1930 earthquake and rebirth
After the 1930 earthquake structural works were needed and the theatre reopened in 1934 with «Guglielmo Tell». The 1980 reopening coincides with the birth of the Rossini Opera Festival, which still fills the theatre each summer.
What you can see today
According to Italia.it (in Italian), the theatre hosts the opera productions and concerts of the Rossini Opera Festival, the Theatre Season, the Concert Season and the National Festival of Dramatic Art. The calendar changes every year: check the official channels before planning your stay.
Visiting it and completing the Rossini route
I did not find up-to-date hours and prices for visits to the theatre; in some editions of the Rossini Weeks walks in the «secret Rossini Theatre» were offered. To complete the route, the Rossini National Museum, in Palazzo Montani Antaldi, offers visits included in the ticket and, according to MuseiOnline (in Italian), booking is advised.
Fitting it into a day on foot
The theatre is at Piazza Lazzarini 1, in the centre. Combine it with Piazza del Popolo and the Ducal Palace and the Civic Museums; for an evening, read what to eat in Pesaro.
Staying in the historic centre
Cortirola Luxury Apartment is at Via Cortirola 8: from the apartment you can walk to the theatre. If you are coming for the festival, read where to stay for the Rossini Opera Festival 2027.
Frequently asked questions
When was the Rossini Theatre built?
It was built as the Teatro Nuovo on the site of the earlier Teatro del Sole of 1637 and opened in 1818 with «La gazza ladra», conducted by Gioachino Rossini. It took its present name in 1854.
How many seats does the hall have?
The horseshoe-shaped hall has 860 seats.
What can you see at the theatre?
According to Italia.it it hosts the opera productions and concerts of the Rossini Opera Festival, the Theatre Season, the Concert Season and the National Festival of Dramatic Art. The calendar should be checked on official channels.
Can you visit the theatre?
I did not find up-to-date hours and prices for theatre visits: during some editions of the Rossini Weeks walks in the «secret Rossini Theatre» were offered. Check with the Municipality and the Rossini Opera Festival.
Is it within walking distance of Cortirola?
The theatre is at Piazza Lazzarini 1 in central Pesaro; Cortirola is at Via Cortirola 8, in the historic centre, so the centre's places are reachable on foot.
Read also: Cortirola Luxury Apartment · Rossini Opera Festival 2027 · Pesaro in 3 days · Villa Caprile