The theater has its origins in the 19th century, but it was completely rebuilt in 1904, after a fire had destroyed it two years earlier. The new building was designed by the Milanese engineer Daniele Donghi and decorated by Giovanni Vianello, who adorned it with ornamental elements in the Liberty style, making it one of the first theaters in Veneto to introduce this modern and refined language.
Throughout the 20th century, the Teatro Sociale hosted some of the greatest interpreters of the Italian lyric scene, including Beniamino Gigli, helping to consolidate the city's musical prestige. Since 1967, it has been recognized as Teatro Lirico di Tradizione, a title that certifies the excellence of its programming and commitment to cultural production. Today, the theater offers a rich and varied season that ranges from lyric to prose, from dance to children's theater, confirming itself as a fundamental reference point for the cultural life of Rovigo and the Polesano territory.
