Origins: The Spirit of the Café Concert
Born in Paris in the 18th century, the café-concert flourished as an elegant fusion of art and social life. Guests would gather to enjoy fine food and drink while experiencing a rich variety of performances—from theatre and music to dance and spectacle. Its vibrant atmosphere was immortalized by Impressionist painters, capturing the charm and spirit of the era.
Also known as the café chantant, it remained at the height of popular entertainment until the advent of modern technologies such as the gramophone, radio, and cinema.
The Story
Of Virgilio Marzorati
A significant part of the repertoire that shapes Teatro Aperitivo originates from the Café Concert music archive inherited from the violinist Virgilio Marzorati. This remarkable collection preserves the musical spirit of an era in which elegance and entertainment were seamlessly intertwined.
A defining chapter in Marzorati’s life and career was the formation of his ensemble in 1932. For nearly four decades, the group performed throughout the summer season in the concert hall of Terme di Recoaro, becoming a cherished presence in the cultural life of the region.
Among its highlights is Csárdás by Vittorio Monti, performed by Virgilio Marzorati with the Ferruzzi Orchestra. Recorded by Columbia Records in 1936, the piece achieved notable success and remained in the catalogue well into the 1960s, attesting to its enduring appeal.
Over the years, the ensemble brought together a distinguished circle of musicians, including Alfredo Bignazzi, Carlo Cassone, Arturo Chierici, Gaetano Freni, Alberto Semprini, Sauro Sili, Luigi Spaggiari, and Bruno Vitali, alongside Marzorati’s sons, Sergio Marzorati (pianist) and Franco Marzorati (doublebassist). Their combined artistry contributed to a living musical tradition that continues to resonate today, thanks to the pianist Elisa Marzorati, niece of Virgilio and daughter of Franco Marzorati, who carried this tradition forward by creating the Teatro Aperitivo project.
Our City – Venice
In Venice, a city that for centuries has embodied artistic inspiration and theatrical grandeur, Teatro Aperitivo creates immersive, site-specific performances shaped by atmosphere, history and space. Inspired by the Venetian setting, we craft artistic experiences for historic palaces, refined hospitality venues and private events, where live music and performance become part of the environment itself.
In this unique context, Teatro Aperitivo finds its voice. Drawing on the tradition of Café Concert, it evokes the intimate charm of a late 19th-century Parisian bistrot, where live music of rare elegance intertwines with literary echoes, mimed narratives, dance and operatic moments.
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An intimate artistic experience where performance and aperitivo are curated with precision.