The Fenice theatre is the main opera house in Venice. Completely destroyed on 29th January 1996 by a devastating malicious fire, the theatre was reconstructed according to the motto "the way it was, where it was".
 
In 2003, to celebrate the re-opening of the historical Theatre, the Teatro La Fenice foundation and the Municipality of Venice, in association with the Region of Veneto, organised a week of musical events in the new Fenice.  On 14th December 2003, in the presence, on the royal stage, of the President of the Republic Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and broadcast live on television, Riccardo Muti opened the Inaugural Week in the newly renovated La Fenice Theatre, with the Orchestra and Choir of La Fenice theatre.