On 26 September 1790, a “trial-run” inauguration was held with a performance of the opera-oratorio The Death of Abel by Giuseppe Giordani, known as Giordanello. The aim was “to carry out a test run of our Aquila Theatre in terms of the mechanism and the painting that had reached its desired completion, and to test the lighting”. The official opening took place in August 1791 with The Destruction of Jerusalem by the same composer. Although not without some difficulty, activity at Aquila Theatre had begun and it also hosted annual events for the city’s Carnival. Between openings, closures and continual work to adapt the spaces, the theatre reopened to the public in the 19th century and hosted plays, opera seasons and celebrations for Carnival festivities until 1826.
Chronicles of the time report the city’s enthusiasm and pride for the opera seasons, a true highlight of the annual programme. This tradition was so heartfelt that in 1821 there was deep disappointment when the theatre failed to stage performances due to lack of funds. Reward for this disappointment came thanks to a summer extravaganza in August, when three operas by Gioachino Rossini were staged: The Touchstone, The Italian Girl in Algiers and Cinderella.