Luigi Manini
Encyclopedia
Luigi Manini, Count of Fagagna (1848–1936) was a European set designer and architect. He was born in Crema, Italy
, and studied at the Brera Academy before becoming an assistant to Carlo Ferrario, the professor
of stage design at La Scala
. Manini then moved to Portugal
to work for the Real Teatro de São Carlos (nowadays the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos
) in 1879.
Today, Manini is best remembered for his Neo-Manueline
architecture designs, especially the last palace
of the kings of Portugal, the Bussaco Palace
, begun in 1888 and today a prestigious hotel
. Manini also designed the exuberant Quinta da Regaleira
for millionaire António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro
.
Manini's other work in Portugal includes:
Manini returned to Italy in 1912 and died in Brescia in 1936.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, and studied at the Brera Academy before becoming an assistant to Carlo Ferrario, the professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of stage design at La Scala
La Scala
La Scala , is a world renowned opera house in Milan, Italy. The theatre was inaugurated on 3 August 1778 and was originally known as the New Royal-Ducal Theatre at La Scala...
. Manini then moved to Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
to work for the Real Teatro de São Carlos (nowadays the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos
Teatro Nacional de São Carlos
The Teatro Nacional de São Carlos is an opera house in Lisbon, Portugal. It was opened on July 30, 1793 by Queen Maria I as a replacement for the Tejo Opera House, which was destroyed in the 1755 Lisbon earthquake...
) in 1879.
Today, Manini is best remembered for his Neo-Manueline
Neo-Manueline
Neo-Manueline was a revival architecture and decorative arts style developed in Portugal between the middle of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century...
architecture designs, especially the last palace
Palace
A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word itself is derived from the Latin name Palātium, for Palatine Hill, one of the seven hills in Rome. In many parts of Europe, the...
of the kings of Portugal, the Bussaco Palace
Palace Hotel of Bussaco
The Palace Hotel of Bussaco , is a luxury hotel located in the mountain range of Serra do Bussaco, in the municipality of Mealhada, in central Portugal.-History:...
, begun in 1888 and today a prestigious hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
. Manini also designed the exuberant Quinta da Regaleira
Quinta da Regaleira
Quinta da Regaleira is an estate located near the historic center of Sintra, Portugal. It is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO within the "Cultural Landscape of Sintra". Along with other palaces in this area , it is one of the principal tourist attractions of Sintra...
for millionaire António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro
António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro
António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro , also known as Monteiro dos Milhões , was born to Portuguese parents in Rio de Janeiro. He inherited a huge family fortune, which he enlarged in Brazil by selling coffee and precious stones, which soon made it possible for him to leave for Portugal...
.
Manini's other work in Portugal includes:
- Cottage Sassetti
- Palácio Biester
- Sets for the operas AidaAidaAida sometimes spelled Aïda, is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni, based on a scenario written by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette...
, Il GuaranyIl GuaranyIl Guarany is an opera ballo composed by Antônio Carlos Gomes, based on the novel O Guarani, written by José de Alencar. The libretto was written by Antonio Scalvini and Carlo D'Ormeville.-Performance history:...
, LohengrinLohengrin (opera)Lohengrin is a romantic opera in three acts composed and written by Richard Wagner, first performed in 1850. The story of the eponymous character is taken from medieval German romance, notably the Parzival of Wolfram von Eschenbach and its sequel, Lohengrin, written by a different author, itself...
, Mephistoles, and OtelloOtelloOtello is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Arrigo Boito, based on Shakespeare's play Othello. It was Verdi's penultimate opera, and was first performed at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan, on February 5, 1887.... - Teatro de Funchal
- The Winter GardenWinter GardenWinter Garden may refer to:* A winter garden, winter-hardy plants grown for winter interest and decoration, or to be harvested for food between winter and early spring.-Places:* Winter Garden, California, former community in Kern County...
at the Teatro de São João
Manini returned to Italy in 1912 and died in Brescia in 1936.
Sources
- Great Houses of Europe by Alex Starkey and Marcus BinneyMarcus BinneyMarcus Binney, CBE is a British architectural historian and author. He is best known for his conservation work regarding Britain's heritage.-Early and family life:...