La Fenice (The Phoenix) is one of the leading opera houses in Italy.
To see these pictures it is hard to believe that 100% of what you see is less than 6 years old.
The original theatre, from the 1700s and a later rebuild, was totally destroyed, apart from its outer walls, in an arson attack in January 1996. It was started by two electricians from the opera house itself who are now serving 7 years each in prison.
Rebuilding began in 2001 at a cost of e90M and it reopened in 2004.
I found myself sitting in the stalls of this incredibly beautiful auditorium for a free classical music concert on Sunday morning.
The entire building including dining rooms and music rooms is breathtaking.
One of its recital rooms.
Its name, The phoenix, is pretty appropriate as the new theatre is the third on the site, all lost to major fires.
Updated On: 9/9/09 at 04:40 PM
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