Teatro della Gioventù
Inaugurated on 28 October 1930, it was the headquarters of the Opera Nazionale Balilla and used as a gymnasium with a stage in the background. The space was used for recitals and entertainment shows and was also used for youth athletic training and recreational and sports activities.
From the post-war period to the 1970s, occasional theatrical and entertainment activities took place there; in later times it was used for activities far removed from its function: in short, having lost its original purpose, the venue had undergone a slow and inexorable degradation.
In 2004, on the occasion of the Genoa European Capital of Culture event, the Region of Liguria, owner of the building, decided to carry out the restoration and functional recovery of the theatre, in order to return it to its original destination. This recovery followed criteria of restoration and conservation, strictly respecting the dimensions of the stage, which was restored and equipped according to modern stage techniques.
The Govi Hall was acoustically shielded using advanced technology for both materials and systems.
The architectural lines of the exterior have been preserved while respecting the original building. Large protective glass panes were placed on the windows with a good aesthetic and functional result.
Between 2004 and 2011, the Youth Theatre hosted performances in Genoese dialect, operettas, brilliant and musical comedies, jazz concerts and concerts by contemporary singers.
Since 2011, the theatre has been home to The Kitchen Company, which has staged theatrical and musical performances.
The building was heavily damaged during the floods of October 2014 and has been partially renovated, although the furnishings have not been fully restored.
In May 2016, the Regione Liguria, which owns the building, allocated it to the Carlo Felice Theatre as a concrete support for capitalisation and to create further potential for developing the skills that the Carlo Felice Theatre can bring to bear.
On 3 June 2018, the Teatro della Gioventù was reopened with a concert by the Coro di Voci Bianche del Teatro Carlo Felice.
Closed in 2020 and later used as a vaccination centre, the Youth Theatre will be back in operation with a grand opening in 2023 and in 2024 with programming aimed at young people, allowing them to experience theatre and music culture up close.
The Teatro della Gioventù is the home of the Accademia di Alto Perfezionamento per cantanti lirici led by Francesco Meli.
The theatre has two halls: the larger one (located on the upper level, seating 365 people) is named after Gilberto Govi, the smaller one (located on the lower level, seating 70 people) after Gianni Barabino.
