by InTrieste
A landmark of Trieste’s cultural life has reopened following an extensive restoration, returning a storied concert hall to public use and renewing a tradition that dates back more than a century.
On Saturday evening, Jan. 24, the historic Sala Beethoven, located on the second floor of a 19th-century building at Via Coroneo 15, reopened with a lyric gala inaugurating a new season of musical events. The restoration was made possible through support from the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, the CRTrieste Foundation and the German Benevolent Society.
The renovation has preserved the hall’s early-20th-century character, maintaining original stylistic elements while updating the space for contemporary use. First opened in 1903, the Sala Beethoven has long been associated with Trieste’s vibrant cultural associations, particularly those connected to the city’s German-speaking community.
Over the decades, the hall has served as the home of the Circolo Artistico Triestino and, from 1941, the German Benevolent Society, later linked to the Goethe-Institut. Today, the venue is managed by the Friedrich Schiller Cultural Association, which traces its origins to the Schillerverein founded in Trieste in the mid-19th century to promote scientific and cultural initiatives inspired by the Germanophone tradition.
In recent years, the association has focused on chamber music and lieder, presenting curated concert cycles supported by regional institutions, philanthropic foundations and private patrons. With seating for approximately 200 spectators, the renovated hall is intended to continue that tradition while expanding its programming.
The reopening concert marked the first of eight performances planned for the new season, though the inaugural evening departed from the usual chamber format. Instead, it featured a lyric gala devoted to operatic repertoire drawn from works inspired by the dramas of Friedrich Schiller.
The performers were the Trieste-born baritone Paolo Rumetz and the soprano Gesua Gallifoco, appearing in Trieste for the first time. Ms. Gallifoco, a graduate of the Como Conservatory, completed advanced training at the Rodolfo Celletti Bel Canto Academy and won first prize at the 10th International Alfredo Kraus Competition. She has performed at venues across Italy and abroad, including in Austria and South Korea.
Mr. Rumetz made his debut in 1988 at Trieste’s Teatro Verdi and went on to appear at major Italian opera houses, including La Fenice in Venice, La Scala in Milan and the Arena di Verona. His international career includes a long association with the Vienna State Opera, where he was a member of the ensemble from 2013 to 2021.
The singers were accompanied by the pianist Sabina Arru of Gorizia, who has served since 2018 as musical consultant and chorus master for the Vienna-based Association Operaprima Wien and as assistant to Maestro Sherman Lowe. The program included selections from operas by Gioachino Rossini, Gaetano Donizetti and Giuseppe Verdi.
Further information about upcoming events is available at www.schillertrieste.it.
