Nobile Teatro di San Giacomo di Corfù, Opera house in Corfu, Greece
The Nobile Teatro di San Giacomo di Corfù is a baroque opera house in the historic center of Corfu, Greece. The building has an ornate facade and an interior arranged with balconies and several tiers for spectators.
The building was erected in 1693 under Venetian rule and converted into a theater in 1720. That transformation made it the first modern theater in Greece.
The name of the theater refers to Saint James, the patron saint of the Venetian community that once used the building. The facade still reflects the close ties between Corfu and Italian opera, which shaped how music was practiced and appreciated on the island for generations.
The building now serves as Corfu's City Hall, so access for visitors may be limited depending on the day. It is worth checking in advance which parts are open to the public, as administrative activity takes priority.
In 1867 the theater hosted the premiere of O Ypopsifios, an opera written entirely in Greek. It was the first time an opera with a Greek libretto was performed on a professional stage, marking a turning point for Greek-language music.
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