Venice opened the world's first public opera house in 1637.

Before 1637, opera was a private affair performed exclusively in the courts of the nobility to celebrate weddings or royal visits. The opening of Teatro San Cassiano in Venice changed everything by introducing the 'impresa' or commercial management system. This allowed the Tron family, who owned the building, to sell tickets to the general public rather than relying on aristocratic patronage.This transition forced a massive change in production values and storytelling. To attract paying customers, theaters invested heavily in 'macchine' or stage machinery designed by engineers like Nicola Sabbatini. These devices allowed for breathtaking visual spectacles, including gods descending from the clouds and elaborate sea battles on stage.The success of San Cassiano was immediate and sparked an opera boom in Venice. By the end of the 17th century, the city hosted ten different opera houses, and over 350 operas had been produced there. This competitive environment led to the rise of the 'star system,' where famous singers like castrati earned enormous salaries based on their popularity with the ticket-buying public.Venice was the perfect birthplace for this industry due to its unique social structure and the influx of wealthy tourists during the Carnival season. Unlike other European cities, Venice lacked a traditional royal court, which allowed the merchant class to drive cultural innovation. This commercial model eventually spread across Europe, defining how we consume performing arts today.