Teatro la Fenice, Venice


	Teatro la Fenice (La Fenice Opera House) In January 1996 fire completely and tragically destroyed the 18th-century Teatro La Fenice, the oldest theater in Venice and one of the most important opera houses in Italy. The Italian government has pledged $12.5 million of the expected $60–300 million it will cost to rebuild this opera house for which Rossini and Bellini wrote works and where some of Verdi's most famous operas premiered. Various fund-raising efforts are also underway; estimates are it will take two to four years for La Fenice (Italian for "phoenix") to arise from its ashes. Address: San Fantin 2549, San Marco Venice Italy