The Theatre of Orpheus — Orfeo Tamburi

The exhibition 'The Theatre of Orpheus' in Jesi

The foyer of the G.B. Pergolesi Theatre in Jesi, in the heart of Marche and the province of Ancona, hosts the exhibition 'The Theatre of Orpheus' from April 19 to September 6, 2026. It is dedicated to six recently acquired works by the Municipality of Jesi, signed by Orfeo Tamburi (1910-1994), an internationally renowned painter from Jesi. These are six tempera sketches on cardboard depicting the history of Theatre, from its origins to the contemporary era.

An encyclopedic undertaking left unfinished

In the 1940s, Tamburi was involved in the major works undertaken in Rome for the planned Universal Exhibition of 1942. Architect Cipriano Efisio Oppo commissioned him to create large decorative panels, to be made into mosaics, depicting the history of Theatre from its origins to Opera. The project, of almost encyclopedic scope, remained unfinished due to the outbreak of war. Today, these preparatory sketches remain as a rare testament to Tamburi as a set designer and decorator, who also created sketches for the EUR's Teatro E42 in Rome.

The return of the Rosa Papa Tamburi Prize

The exhibition marks the resumption, after thirteen years, of the 'Città di Jesi – Rosa Papa Tamburi' Prize, established by the artist himself in 1974 in memory of his mother and transformed into a purchase prize in 1994. The acquisition of the six works by the Municipality of Jesi thus revives the bond between the city and one of its most illustrious sons, intertwining art, theatre, and civic memory.

A dialogue between theatre and museum

The initiative stems from the collaboration between the Civic Museums of Jesi and the Pergolesi Spontini Foundation, with the support of the Marche Region. It is part of a broader tribute to the art of scenography, complementing the project dedicated to Mario Pompei and the musical fairy tale Le peripezie di Pinco Pallino (The Adventures of Pinco Pallino), presented in its absolute premiere on the opening day. The scientific curation is entrusted to art historians Pierfrancesco Giannangeli and Maria Letizia Paiato.

Why it's worth a visit

• Six tempera sketches on cardboard exhibited for the first time since their municipal acquisition.
• A journey through the history of theatre seen through the eyes of a great painter from Marche.
• Free admission, in the heart of Jesi's historic center.
• An opportunity to discover the Teatro Pergolesi, the city's 18th-century jewel.