New life for an ancient building

Atelier Opera Extravaganza in Vetralla

Jun 15, 2024

Yesterday I was pleased to be able to play a small part at the inauguration of the Atelier of Opera Extravaganza, which begins a new era for the town’s historic center. Thanks to the hard work, investments in money, time, sweat and passion of the new owners, this abandoned building with a long and varied history has returned to new life and beauty.

Every time I walked past this building, hidden on a side street in the shadow of the huge 1700s Duomo, the sight of the Renaissance angels covered in pigeon guano made me wince.

Apathy, ignorance and lack of funds were the culprits that led to a general degradation of the town’s historic center over the past 70 years. Young people left for modern villas on the outskirts, abandoning family homes - even lovely large apartments and portions of palaces with multi level gardens. These properties were left without maintenance until they were bought by “crazy foreigners” like myself and my Dutch, Finnish and other international neighbors.

Now times are changing and yesterday’s inauguration was a high point with a large group gathered on the red carpet to congratulate Susanna Ohtonen, Rudolph Hupperts and his brother Frans along with many members of the Opera Extravaganza association.

on the red carpet

This ancient building has had a checkered past. It was originally built as an oratory in the mid 1500s when the Tuscia area was in full artistic bloom and master craftsmen, architects and sculptors were working in towns all around Vetralla. They traveled between Viterbo, Caprarola, Bomarzo, Civitavecchia and Bracciano with commissions to build palaces and gardens for powerful papal families including the Farnese and Orsini. Michelangelo, Sebastiano del Piombo and Vignola are just a few of the best known artists, but among the many others who worked alongside them was the artist and architect who created the angels adorning the facade of what is now the Atelier of Opera Extravaganza.

Over the next few weeks I’ll be sailing the Mediterranean giving enrichment talks but also researching to discover the identity of the unknown artist who created the magnificent couple of angels. They have finally been cleaned and along with the building they have guarded for centuries, restored to their angelic dignity thanks to the atelier of Opera Extravaganza and its forward looking creators.

Here are a few photos of the inauguration ceremony. Vintage soda bottles, wine jugs from a previous life of the building where soft drinks and ice were once manufactured

Upstairs there is the section dedicated to theatre costumes