Built in 1792 in neoclassical style after winning a public competition by Giannantonio Selva, a friend of Canova, Teatro La Fenice was originally one of many private venues for performances and operas. After a devastating fire in December 1836 destroyed its interior, the theater rose again a year later like a phoenix from the ashes. In the 19th century, it hosted world premieres of renowned operas such as Rossini's Tancredi and Semiramide, as well as works by Bellini, Donizetti, and Verdi. With a seating capacity of over a thousand, La Fenice is distinguished by its excellent acoustics, enhanced after the second fire in 1996. Today, the theater continues to captivate a passionate audience, both local and international, with a vast program that includes over a hundred opera performances annually, major symphonic seasons, and contemporary repertoire focused on Venetian and international talent.