BIBBIENA, THEATRE TOWN. After a long process started in 1992, Bibbiena, standing as a unique national point of reference for theatre, has reached its target.

An exhibition called “Galli Bibiena  inheritance - Pier Luigi Pizzi, Massimo Gasparon - two Baroque stage designers generations” has opened on September, the 7th 2002, in Bibbiena town hall rooms, previewing the next official "Theatre Museum" opening.

This is an exceptional opportunity to admire some stage sketches and costumes designed by the two artists for baroque performances and to enter into "Theatre Museum" atmosphere.

In this exhibition held in the just restored "Niccolini Palace", we show some original costumes created for Haendel's “Rinaldo”, Gluck's “Armida” and Rossini's “Semiramide” staged by Pier Luigi Pizzi, more Cesti's “La Dori”, Stradella's “Il barcheggio” and Haendel's “Amadigi”  in Massimo Gasparon style; there are also other Baroque performance sketches and photos together with Bibbiena Dovizi Theatre restoring plan.

In 1992 we opened an exhibition dedicated to Galli-Bibiena architects, trying to pursue the illustrious past that has introduced Bibbiena in stage designing. In 1993, recognizing Mr Lungi Pizzi as one of Bibbiena honorary citizen, we have linked the eminent XVIII° century set designers family with a contemporary theatre.

In 1997, Pizzi conceived to bring back Dovizi theatre to its lost dignity, following Massimo Gasparon's project. Dovizi thatre was completely changed as a tribute to the Galli Bibiena. In 2002, for "Openopera project" Gasparon has staged Vivaldi's “Griselda”, in order to encourage new types of production in minor theatres.

In 2003 a FESTIVAL, based on operas and other musical events has been planned.

Bibbiena municipality, together with Pizzi, have been engaging a long process on stage designing development and research, inside which "Theatre Stage designing and Costume Museum" official opening, has been our following target, reached in spring 2003.

In this Museum we will organize important events dedicated to major contemporary stage designers, without leaving out young artists; we will keep plays and theatrical documents offered to the Museum to set up a Fund and an Educational Centre supplied with databank. By this means, necessary for people working in this field,  we will display Theatre visual arts evolution .

Moreover, the Educational Centre will be a point of reference for whoever wants stage an opera, in using again the available stagings so as to promote the creation and production of opera in small theatres.

By this exposition, dedicated to Pier Luigi Pizzi and Massimo Gasparon, Mayor Ferruccio Ferri, representing our municipality, wants to thank these two protagonists of Bibbiena cultural life and to invite anyone interested in theatre to visit the new Museum.