Opened by a young Mozart on 16 January 1770, the Theatre, designed in a late baroque style by Antonio Galli da Bibiena, was a complete overhaul of a 16th century palace which at the time was home to a number of Academies. Indeed, the magnificent bell-shaped hall, consisting of several rows of boxes and adorned with paintings and statues, was initially designed as the Great Hall of the Accademia dei Timida, but musical performances took place there immediately instead. The neoclassical façade was built later, following a design by the Veronese architect Paolo Pozzo. The building was then completed in 1775. The extraordinary soundbox still dazzles today for the variety of its forms, which, together with the numerous melodic chamber music performances, captivate the audience.