replaced gas lighting for the reopening in 1889 with 1,000 seats. Within hours of his death in January 1901, the theatre was once again renamed, this time to honour the memory of Giuseppe Verdi. It was extensively restored between 1992 and 1997 and re-opened with about 1,300 seats and with a Viva Verdi concert which included excerpts from many of the composer's operas. (Like the restoration of La Scala between 2001 and 2004, a temporary alternative venue was quickly created in Trieste and the Sala Tripcovich continues to offer space for chamber opera and operettas.) A major feature of the Teatro Verdi's programming in the past 40 years, which stems from the original Austrian occupation of the city in the 19th century and the fact that Trieste did not become part of Italy until 1918, is the "International Festival of Operetta" which takes place every summer. Premieres The theatre has seen the world premieres of the following operas: Ginevra di Scozia by Simon Mayr, 21 April 1801 Annibale in Capua by Antonio Salieri 20 May 1801 Ricciarda di Edimburgo by Cesare Pugni, 29 September 1832. Enrico II by Otto Nicolai, 26 November 1839 Il corsaro by Giuseppe Verdi, 25 October 1848 Stiffelio by Giuseppe Verdi, 16 November 1850 Pittore e duca by Michael William Balfe, 21 November 1854. Nozze istriane by Antonio Smareglia, 28 March 1895 References Notes Sources Lynn, Karyl Charna, Italian Opera Houses and Festivals, Lanham, Maryland: The Scarecrow Press, Inc., 2005. Plantamura, Carol, The Opera Lover's Guide to Europe, New York: Citadel Press, 1996. External links Teatro Verdi's official website with photographs Giuseppe Verdi Trieste Buildings and structures in Trieste Trieste Theatres completed in 1831 Giuseppe Verdi Tourist attractions in Friuli-Venezia Giulia Music venues completed in 1831