Royal box
At first sight the Theatre may not appear particularly impressive from the outside and only on admiring the rich red velvety interior of the fabulous classic auditorium, gleaming with gilded stuccowork and boasting extraordinarily effective acoustics can the Theatre's real splendour be appreciated. Under the vaulted ceiling there are 678 pit-stalls, four tiers of boxes and two galleries in a classic horseshoe shape. The stage is one of the largest in Italy with outstanding acoustic effects. Directly opposite the stage is the Royal Box. The Theatre's overall seating capacity can accommodate almost 3000 spectators.The original decoration was enriched by Alessandro Sanquirico in 1830 with a décor using raised embossed gilt papier-maché decorations to ornament the box surrounds on ivory coloured laquered wooden parapets. The same expert went on to design the imposing centre ceiling chandelier replaced in 1860.
In the nineteenth-century the Theatre was more richly and lavishly decorated and the famous mirror-lined foyer was modernized and made more functional in 1936.
