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In 1811, Teatro Sociale in Como, founded by Mayor Gian Pietro Porro, commissioned the construction of a theater to replace the Castello della Torre Totonda.
Designed by Giuseppe Cusi, the theater was officially opened on August 28th, 1813 with a performance of "Hadrian in Syria". For this special occasion, Alessandro Sanquirico designed a grand curtain depicting the death of Pliny the Elder from Como during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. After undergoing restoration in 2008-09, the curtain was displayed in Turin as part of the celebrations for Italy's 150 years of national unity.
