Veneto is one of the 20 regions of Italy. The music of Veneto. Venice The city of Venice in Italy has played an important role in the development of the music of Italy. The Venetian state—i.e. the medieval Maritime Republic of Venice—was often popularly called the "Republic of Music", and an anonymous Frenchman of the 17th century is said to have remarked that "In every home, someone is playing a musical instrument or singing. There is music everywhere." Venues In Padua, musical ensembles such as the Amici della Musica di Padova, the Solisti Veneti and the Padova-Veneto Symphony are found. Concerts are often held in the historic Loggia Comaro, built in 1524. As well, the city is the site of the Teatro delle Maddalene, the Teatro delle Grazie, the Giuseppe Verdi Theater, and the Cesare Pollini music conservatory. Rovigo is well known for its love of opera and is the site of the famous Teatro Sociale, built in 1819. In the 20th century it was the venue for the career beginnings of Tullio Serafin, Beniamino Gigli and Renata Tebaldi. The town of Rovigo is also the site of the Francesco Vanezza music conservatory. The city of Treviso is currently embarked on a music/multimedia facility building project under the umbrella term "Eurobottega". The Teatro Mario Del Monaco is its main theatre and opera house. The town of Asolo in the province has annual chamber music festivals. The city of Verona is world-famous for the Roman amphitheater known as the "Arena", a site that has been hosting musical events since the 16th century, but which is more recently known for the spectacular outdoor staging of Verdi's Aida, an event staged for the first time in 1913. The city also has the Felice Evaristo Dall'Abaco music conservatory; Vicenza is the site of the Teatro Olimpico and an annual series of symphony concerts, "Il Suono dell'Olimpico" as well as of an interesting project entitled Costruiamo un'opera" aimed at promoting musical education among school children. The town of Bassano del Grappa in the province of Vicenza is the site of OperaEstate Festival Veneto, involving performances at many different locations in the town, virtually turning the entire town into one large operatic venue. Folk Music of Veneto Veneto has a rich culture of folk music. Most of the songs that are known today were born between the 18th Century and the first half of 20th Century.