The fascination of this site is not linked purely to the beauty of a "true" theatre, but largely to the evocative power linked to its history, which began on 29 May 1819 with the staging of "La Cenerentola" by Gioachino Rossini. In 1893 there was only the second performance of Manon Lescaut, with Giacomo Puccini in the theatre, in 1895 and 1896 Arturo Toscanini conducted, while in 1898 Enrico Caruso sang here. The theatre was initially called the Teatro Mazzurana, from the name of Felice Mazzurana, the first owner and promoter of the building. In 1835 the entrepreneur and café owner gave up his ownership and the theatre changed its name to the Teatro Sociale, managed by the Società del Teatro. In Trento in the 19th century the Teatro Sociale was a driving force for intense cultural activities, with a programme which included opera, prose, dance and classical music, but it was also used for political meetings, dances and performances of magic. In 1984 the building was purchased by the Autonomous Province of Trento. After major restoration work the theatre was re-opened on 22 June 2000. The stalls seating, three tiers of boxes and gallery, in addition to three rooms which can be used for meetings and conferences, make it a versatile structure suitable for all kinds of performances and events.