During the Savoy reign, the performing arts existed only to please the monarchy. Public concerts were rare; most performances were held in one of the Savoy palaces for members of the ruling elite. Turin's opera house, Teatro Regio (inaugurated in 1681), was the only public theater until the 19th century. Needless to say, opera was very popular and the great Italian composers Rossini, Verdi and Puccini had their works performed there, as did the Austrian composers Wagner and Strauss.
Piedmont has a long tradition of puppet theater that developed out of commedia dell'arte in the 18th century. Commedia dell'arte is an Italian theatrical tradition with a specific cast of characters, including a Harlequin character and a Punch-like clown called Pulcinella. Certain Italian cities identified themselves with characters in commedia dell'Arte. Naples is forever associated with Pulcinella, Turin is associated with Gianduja, from whom the name of the chocolate confection gianduiotto is derived. Gianduja has a big red nose and wears a three-pointed hat, and he is often the central character in the free Sunday afternoon productions held at Borgo Medievale in summer.
Turin has a variety of small theater and dance companies and an RAI orchestra and chamber-music ensemble that performs in various venues. Only the opera company has its own dedicated theater.
