Built 1737 within 270 days by Giovanni Antonio Medrano and Angelo Carasale. Opened 4 November 1737 with Sarro's "Achille in Sciro". Ca. 1810 new façade by Antonio Niccolini. Nearly completely destroyed by a fire on 12 February 1816. Rebuilt 1816-1817 by Antonio Niccolini. Re-opened with Simon Mayr's "Il sogno di Partenope". 1845 renovation by Antonio Niccolini. 1854 alteration of the decoration colours from blue/gold/silver to red/gold. 1890 electrification. Renovations in the 1930s. 1944 damages by bombs. 1946 rebuilt and re-opened. 3500 seats.

Notable world premieres:

• Domenico Natale Sarro: Achille in Sciro (4 Nov 1737)
• Simon Mayr: Medea in Corinto (28 Nov 1813)
• Gioacchino Rossini: Elisabetta, regina d'Inghilterra (4 Oct 1815)
• Gioacchino Rossini: Armida (11 Nov 1817)
• Gioacchino Rossini: Mosè in Egitto (5 Mar 1818)
• Gioacchino Rossini: La donna del lago (24 Sep 1819)
• Gioacchino Rossini: Maometto II. (3 Dec 1820)
• Gaetano Donizetti: Alfredo il Grande (2 July 1823)
• Vincenzo Bellini: Bianca e Fernando (30 May 1826)
• Gaetano Donizetti: Il Paria (12 Feb 1829)
• Gaetano Donizetti: Maria Stuarda (18 Oct 1834)
• Gaetano Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor (26 Sep 1835)
• Gaetano Donizetti: Roberto Devereux (29 Oct 1837)
• Saverio Mercadante: La Vestale (10 Mar 1840)
• Gaetano Donizetti: Caterina Cornaro (12 Jan 1844)
• Giuseppe Verdi: Alzira (12 Aug 1845)
• Gaetano Donizetti: Poliuto (30 Nov 1848)
• Giuseppe Verdi: Luisa Miller (8 Dec 1849)