The finest research, practices, and visions that have defined the generational shift in Italian theatre—epitomized by Antonio Latella’s 2016 production Santa Estasi—were either born here or passed through these doors.
A former power plant
It all stems from a former industrial space in Modena. Once a power station, in 2000 it was transformed into the "Teatro delle Passioni"—a place that quickly became a cherished hub for many, bursting with the innovative energy that characterized the Emilia Romagna Teatro (ERT) network and beyond.
The name was chosen by Pietro Valenti, the artistic director at the time. Valenti was convinced that Modena needed a versatile, creative second space to complement its historic Teatro Storchi, and he named it in tribute to a legendary production by Thierry Salmon, the brilliant director who passed away in 1998 at the age of 40.
Over the years, "Le Passioni"—as everyone affectionately calls it—has hosted memorable shows and artists who have shaped the history of contemporary theatre: Terzopoulos, Tiezzi and Lombardi, Societas, Manfredini, Belarus Free Theatre, Toshiki Okada, Oskaras Koršunovas, to name just a few.
The grand reopening
After five years of closure and a sweeping renovation, Le Passioni celebrates its grand reopening on October 23 and 24 with Viaggio a Hong Kong (Journey to Hong Kong), written and directed by another ERT regular, Pascal Rambert, and starring Sandro Lombardi.
"It is a milestone event, and we owe a great debt of gratitude to the Municipality of Modena, which worked relentlessly toward this reopening," says ERT General Director Natalia Di Iorio. "I remember when this venue first opened, a poster cheekily declared: 'Finally, Modena has a theatre where you can sit uncomfortably,' poking fun at the spartan atmosphere typical of so much experimental theatre.
Today, Le Passioni reemerges as a comfortable, welcoming space featuring new seating, cutting-edge technology, and full accessibility for people with disabilities. We have also built a rehearsal hall that can double as a second stage, and converted the adjacent building into artist guesthouses."
A gathering place for communities
Above all, reopening Le Passioni means giving the theatrical community back an essential gathering place.
"I, too, was nurtured here by an atmosphere of connection and debate between theatre artists and the audience. Our goal is to reclaim that energy and beauty and drive them forward," explains Elena Di Gioia, Artistic Director of ERT. "The new season begins right here, rooted in the idea of preserving that experimental and community spirit while grounding it firmly in the present."
Indeed, Le Passioni will serve as the premier home for both national and international contemporary playwrighting. The lineup features work ranging from Caryl Churchill’s Escaped Alone to Vitaliano Trevisan’s Il Delirio del particolare (The Delirium of Detail) starring Maria Paiato and directed by Giorgio Sangati, alongside Fausto Russo Alesi’s adaptation of Gogol’s The Overcoat, and Ágota Kristóf’s John and Joe featuring Manuela Mandracchia and Alvia Reale, among other notable productions.
"I am also thinking of emerging playwriting," Di Gioia continues, "such as Mariano Dammacco’s Homo Sapiens, featuring costume design by Oscar winner Franca Squarciapino in a wonderful intergenerational collaboration; Niccolò Fettarappa with Orgasmo (Orgasm); and Teatro dei Venti’s prison-theater project, Abisso e potere (Abyss and Power)."
Acclaimed returns and new international voices
The season marks the return of many acclaimed performers who have previously graced this stage: Anna Bonaiuto with Franco Marcoaldi’s La vasca (The bathtub), Renato Carpentieri, and Danio Manfredini, whose repertoire ERT will be highlighting. Contemporary dance will also take centre stage, featuring masters like Virgilio Sieni alongside the Abbondanza-Bertoni duo—directed on the occasion of their 30th anniversary by the young talents Ginevra Panzetti and Enrico Ticconi.
"I would also like to highlight the presence of two international figures," Di Gioia adds. "Malicho Vaca Valenzuela, one of the prominent voices of Chile's new theatrical scene, presents Reminiscenza (Reminiscence), weaving together personal family connections forged during COVID with the socio-political history of Chile. Additionally, the Mariupol Theatre of Ukraine in Exile will present Alaska, collaborating directly with students from our theatre academy."
Emilia-Romagna’s theatrical polyphony
Where Teatro delle Passioni once stood in the middle of an anonymous parking lot, today it sits proudly in a newly renovated plaza transformed into a vibrant "cultural hub," as Natalia Di Iorio puts it.
"It forms part of ERT’s wider theatrical polyphony, where this year we have also committed to upgrading the seating at Arena del Sole in Bologna and at Castelfranco."
Indeed, with the "new" Passioni, ERT now operates nine stages across five Emilian cities: Bologna, Modena, Cesena, Vignola, and Castelfranco Emilia—a unique model of regional arts distribution among Italy's National Theatres.
"This translates to 130 titles, including 18 world premieres. But," Di Gioia points out, "it remains a tailor-made season, crafted specifically for each individual city."
This includes a rich program of talks and cultural events, such as the inventive "Warm up" series—an initiative launched by junior director Francesca Di Fazio designed to bridge the gap between audiences, especially younger ones, and the creative process of the artists.
"It is a vast undertaking, yes. The challenge lies in balancing artistic excellence, sustainability, and our connection with local communities," Di Iorio concludes.
"Ultimately, the gamble with Le Passioni isn't just about a restored building; it’s about creating a cultural centre where innovation isn't reserved for an elite few, but offers an inviting, comfortable space where today's audience can sit alongside tomorrow's."
This article was reviewed by an external translation partner