Let's get back on stage
The Teatro della Società in Lecco reopens its curtains. The 2026 program, “La stagione delle Emozioni” (The Season of Emotions), has been presented.
The Teatro della Società in Lecco reopens its doors to the public with a new look, while retaining the neoclassical spirit of Giuseppe Bovara‘s masterpiece. An eight-year restoration project, strongly supported by the Municipality of Lecco, has seen the theater undergo major redevelopment and extraordinary maintenance work, returning this historic venue to the city.
“Fondazione Teàrte Lecco aims to support cultural activities in our city and its primary objective is to promote the Teatro della Società, which is reopening its doors following major renovations. Our theater is coming back to life after eight years. We hope to offer an exciting program that will intrigue audiences with high-quality theater, music, and dance performances. We hope that all citizens will actively participate in the life of the theater, the heart and soul of culture,” emphasizes Eufrasio Anghileri, President of Fondazione Teàrte Lecco.
A great opening week
The theater’s program resumes with a grand opening week from November 29 to December 8. The official opening night will be held on November 29 at 5:00 p.m. and will be accompanied by a grand concert by invitation only, performed by the Milan Symphony Orchestra: an event that marks the rebirth of one of the city’s most beloved venues. On the podium, Emmanuel Tjeknavorian will lead the Orchestra in a program of extraordinary intensity together with Andrea Obiso, a young violin talent and concertmaster of the first violins of the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. The heart of the evening will be one of the absolute masterpieces of the repertoire: Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35, where lyricism and virtuosity merge in an overwhelming emotion. In dialogue with the voice of the violin is Rachmaninov’s Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27, a majestic and passionate work, rich in romantic élan and renewed creativity.
From November 30 to December 8, the theater will continue to celebrate with a rich calendar of free shows and concerts open to all citizens, to share together the excitement of this new rebirth. The curtain opens with Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest,” a brilliant and ironic comedy directed by Geppy Gleijeses (November 30, 9 p.m.). Between truth, identity, and the desire to be accepted, Wilde’s masterpiece continues to provoke thought and entertain with its irresistible relevance. Next, it’s time for dance with a new, exciting version of Carmen, created by choreographers Agnese Omodei Salè and Federico Veratti, with elegant staging by Marco Pesta (December 2, 9 p.m.). Passion, rhythm, and intensity for an evening that combines tradition and modernity.
On December 3 (5 p.m.) and December 4 (10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.), the stage will be transformed to welcome children with a tender theatrical tale dedicated to Saint Nicholas, directed by Andrea Carabelli: a story about generosity, wonder, and Christmas magic. Contemporary dance returns to the spotlight on December 5 (9 p.m.) with two shows in one evening: Diva, the new creation by Giovanni Insaudo, explores the timeless myth of Marilyn Monroe, between charm and fragility; Delicious Overdose, by Alice Carrino and Cristian Cucco, is a visionary and poetic journey “under a shower of candy.”
Saturday, December 6 (9 p.m.) will be the moment for the Civiche Benemerenze San Nicolò d’Oro awards, accompanied by a musical performance by the Alessandro Manzoni Music Corps of the Lecco Music Council: an event to celebrate the city and its protagonists.
On December 7 and 8 (9 p.m.), Nicola Piovani closes the inaugural program with “Note a margine” (Side Notes), a concert-story in which the Maestro shares with the audience memories, anecdotes, and music from over forty years of his career. From Fellini to the Taviani brothers, from Cerami to Benigni, a journey through emotions and memories recounted with lightness and sincerity.
For the more curious, there will be guided tours to discover the renovated Teatro della Società, enhanced by musical performances by students from the Istituto Civico “G. Zelioli” (November 30 – December 2, 3, 5, 6, and 8).
The 2026 program
The Teàrte Lecco Foundation has also launched its 2026 program, entitled “La stagione delle emozioni” (The Season of Emotions), which will bring great shows, new voices, and special events to the stage, with the aim of attracting more and more people and allowing everyone to experience the energy of this cultural venue. There are 14 events to mark in your calendar until May, including prose, dance, and symphonic music.
Prose Theater. A journey through great classics, irony, emotions, and current events for a season that celebrates the power of theater in all its forms. It starts on January 24 and 25 (9 p.m.) with Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus, intensely directed by Ferdinando Bruni and Francesco Frongia: a powerful drama about envy and genius, where Salieri and Mozart challenge each other in a fascinating duel between art and destiny.
Teatro Prosa. Un viaggio tra grandi classici, ironia, emozioni e attualità per una stagione che celebra il potere del teatro in tutte le sue forme. Si parte il 24 e 25 gennaio (ore 21) con Amadeus di Peter Shaffer, diretto con intensità da Ferdinando Bruni e Francesco Frongia: un dramma potente sull’invidia e il genio, dove Salieri e Mozart si sfidano in un affascinante duello tra arte e destino.
On February 22 (9 p.m.), it’s time for Medico dei Maiali, written and directed by Davide Sacco, starring Luca Bizzarri and Francesco Montanari: a biting and surreal satire on power, truth, and the fragility of institutions.
On March 4 (9 p.m.), we delve into mystery with Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, directed by Giorgio Gallione and starring Ettore Bassi: the most performed theatrical mystery play ever, full of twists, irony, and suspense.
On March 21 and 22 (9 p.m.), the stage welcomes Prima del Temporale (Before the Storm), starring Umberto Orsini and directed by Massimo Popolizio: a refined journey into the memory and soul of an actor on the eve of his final scene.
On April 8 (9 p.m.), comedy returns with Colpi di Timone by Enzo La Rosa, adapted and directed by Tullio Solenghi: an entertaining game of misunderstandings and truths set in Genoa in the 1940s, full of laughter and twists and turns.
The first part of the season closes on April 29 (9 p.m.) with Aristophanes’ Lysistrata, starring Lella Costa and directed by Serena Sinigaglia: a great classic with a contemporary flavor, where women’s irony becomes a weapon of peace and freedom.
