Work to restore the historic Politeama Verdi to the city of Cremona is moving forward. Starting this morning, the construction company Musoni has begun the first phase of the project on behalf of the Stauffer Foundation, implementing the plans designed by architect Angelo Micheli.

After decades of waiting, one of Cremona's most important historic landmarks is finally beginning a new chapter. Although heavily altered over the years—with concrete replacing much of its original decorative stucco—the building is set to come back to life.

Only limited details of the project have been released so far. However, as outlined during its first public presentation in Sala Maffei, the restored Politeama will become a centre dedicated to Cremona's violin-making (lutherie) tradition.

The theatre is no longer the extraordinary masterpiece originally designed by architect Achille Sfondrini, one of Italy's greatest theatre architects, whose works include Milan's Teatro Lirico, Modena's Storchi Theatre, Padua's Verdi Theatre, Rome's Opera House and Lugano's Apollo Theatre. Nevertheless, significant elements of the original structure survive: the spacious interior, portions of the decorative stuccoes, several frescoes, the impressive dome and, above all, its remarkable history.

The initial phase of construction will focus on securing the existing structure. As stated on the construction notice displayed outside the building, the work includes structural investigations and inspections of the historic fabric and of the decorative elements above the former theatre's proscenium.

As required by Italian law, the restoration project will be reviewed by the Superintendency for Cultural Heritage (Soprintendenza), which, despite allowing major alterations in previous decades, later placed a preservation order safeguarding the building's distinctive spatial configuration. The theatre's enormous dome—one of the defining features of Cremona's skyline—will be among the first elements to undergo conservation work aimed at ensuring its long-term preservation.

These preliminary works, accessed via Via Arisi rather than the main entrance on Via Cesare Battisti, are expected to last 40 days, concluding on 8 August.

The restoration will essentially proceed in three stages: first, the conservation of the surviving historic features; second, interventions on the reinforced-concrete structure that radically transformed the original theatre; and finally, the work required to make the Politeama fully accessible and functional once again.

Architect Micheli explained that the new flooring will be made of wood, while the exposed concrete surfaces will be cleaned and, where appropriate, repainted. The redesign focuses on making the building a flexible and welcoming public space.

The renewed Politeama will include the stage, the auditorium, the two remaining tiers of boxes and the basement. The foyer will become a welcoming reception area centred around a musical instrument symbolising Cremona's craftsmanship. The stage, together with the upper floors, will host exhibitions dedicated to the art of violin making, while the former gallery ("loggione") will be transformed into a specialised library devoted to lutherie and music. The auditorium will serve as a gathering place for violin makers, musicians and visitors attending cultural events.

The project is being carried out by the Stauffer Foundation in collaboration with the Consortium of Cremonese Violin Makers. The Consortium, however, will not have exclusive exhibition rights, as the Politeama is intended to become a home for the entire Cremonese violin-making community.

The Politeama has lived many lives. It was rebuilt in 1898, just one year after the devastating fire of 1897, only to be heavily altered and eventually abandoned for decades. At the beginning of the twentieth century it rivalled Cremona's Teatro Ponchielli, with many of Italy's leading touring companies choosing to perform there instead because audiences were guaranteed. It hosted drama, concerts, opera, circus performances and even boxing matches—one of which featured the young Walter Chiari before he became one of Italy's best-known actors.

Later converted into a cinema, the building eventually closed and fell into decline. More than thirty years ago, an ill-conceived regional law led to a redevelopment that sacrificed much of the theatre's original architecture. Private apartments replaced the boxes, galleries, much of the stage, dressing rooms and service areas, leaving only the central structure with its rebuilt dome—now made of glass instead of copper—the auditorium, a reduced stage and the first tier of boxes. The building has remained unused since 1969.

Much of its decorative heritage disappeared: stuccoes, plasterwork, Rizzi's stage curtain and virtually all of the original furnishings were lost. Yet the essential structure survives in the heart of Cremona, retaining the spatial qualities protected by heritage authorities and standing as a reminder of the city's vibrant cultural life at the end of the nineteenth century, when art, theatre and music flourished.

Today, thanks to the Stauffer Foundation, which purchased the building at auction for €55,000, the Politeama is preparing for a new rebirth—one that the people of Cremona can only welcome with enthusiasm.

The photographs of the Politeama by Francesco Sessa Ventura are archive images. The public-space occupation permit and the preliminary construction works came into effect on 30 June.