Built in 1792 in Neoclassical style, the building has gone through its trials – in fact, it's been burnt down three times.
Fenice translates to phoenix though, and the theater has certainly risen from the ashes. In the 19th century, the theater staged the world premieres of numerous operas, including Rossini's Tancredi, Bellini's Capuleti e i Montecchi and Beatrice di Tenda; Donizetti's Belisario, Pia de' Tolomei and Maria de Rudenz; and Verdi's La traviata.
With a capacity of more than 1,000 people, La Fenice boasts excellent acoustics, a 98-member orchestra and a 66-member chorus. More than 100 performances a year are staged, expertly directed by the greatest conductors from all over the world.