The Renaissance theatre as a bridge between the ancient and the modern

During the Renaissance, performances were often hosted in open-air theatres. Ancient Roman-style theatres continued to influence architectural design, although they had not been in use for centuries. Historical sources indicate that actors performed in front of a colonnade, while the audience was seated on temporary wooden structures. At the same time, these spaces functioned as modern theatres, hosting newly written comedies specifically for semi-public performances. This study argues, from an acoustic perspective, that Renaissance theatre retained many characteristics of ancient theatre while introducing key innovations that shaped modern theatrical spaces. The Cornaro Lodge (1524) is probably the last surviving example of an early-Renaissance performance venue, based on the Roman Domus. However, due to its remarkable state of preservation, the Lodge, whose acoustics represent an important example of intangible cultural heritage, crystallizes an intermediate stage in the evolution of theatrical architecture. Acoustic measurements offer valuable insights into the development of key elements still used in performance spaces today, such as the proscenium and the scenic arch. Progressively, starting from the late 16th century, this model was functionally replaced by the Vitruvian-Palladian design, based on the Roman Basilica, which became dominant in the evolution of the opera house.