Teatro della Società

Situated in Piazza Garibaldi, within the city’s historic centre, the Teatro della Società is the oldest and most significant theatrical hub in Lecco. Standing prominently just behind the monument dedicated to Giuseppe Garibaldi, this building is not only a national monument but a symbol of the territory’s cultural rebirth.

A Masterpiece by Giuseppe Bovara inspired by La Scala

Designed in 1835 by the Lecco-born architect Giuseppe Bovara, the theatre is a prime example of the Lombard Neoclassical style. Its monumental architecture draws explicit inspiration from Milan’s La Scala, featuring refined interiors distinguished by the stucco work and carvings of the boxes created by Giacomo Mattarelli. Over time, the original structure has been enhanced by significant additions, such as the late 19th-century Umbertine-style lateral wing.

One of its most evocative features is the auditorium’s ceiling, decorated in 1979 with the fresco “The Theatre of Life” (Il teatro della vita) by the painter Orlando Sora—a work that envelops the audience in a timeless and dreamlike atmosphere.

The Grand Restoration and the 2025 Reopening

Following an eight-year closure for complex safety and consolidation works, the Teatro della Società was returned to the public on 29 November 2025. This extensive restoration project successfully recovered the architectural structure and technical systems, alongside prestigious historical decorations, the dome rose, and the theatre curtain.

The reopening ceremony, marked by a concert performed by the Milan Symphony Orchestra, launched a new chapter for Lecco, transforming the theatre into a modern, safe, and technologically advanced venue.

Fondazione Teàrte Lecco and Major Events

Today, the theatre is managed by Fondazione Teàrte Lecco, an organisation established in 2025 to integrate public and private efforts in promoting the local cultural heritage. Thanks to this new organisational impetus, the programme offers top-tier performances: from the drama and dance of the “Season of Emotions” (Stagione delle Emozioni) to events of international renown such as the Lecco Jazz Festival, for which the theatre serves as the central venue.

Watching a performance at the Teatro della Società today offers an artistic experience in Lecco’s most iconic venue, where the traditions of the past meet the innovations of the contemporary stage.