The theater, built between the years 1854 and 1864, was based on a project by the engineer Ireneo Aleandri. For its inauguration, on August 3rd 1864, the opera "Guisemberga da Spoleto" was written by the composer Filippo Sangiorgi, with a libretto by Carlo d'Ormeville.

The facade is preceded by a portico with three arches decorated with stucco within medallions depicting Rossini, Alfieri, Goldoni and Metastasio, works by A. Bagioli.

In the niches there are four stone statues from the 17th century donated by Maestro Gian Carlo Menotti, founder and artistic director of the "Festival dei Due Mondi", who has recently passed away.

The rich interior, made up of four tiers of boxes and a gallery, is decorated with stucco works and precious wooden carvings that harmonize with the tempera paintings of mythological subjects on the ceiling, from which hangs a large Murano glass chandelier.

The curtain is painted with a scene depicting "the defeat of Hannibal", made by the painter Francesco Coghetti, who was inspired by the famous historical event that took place in Spoleto in 217 BC. The theater is connected to a concert hall, also designed by Aleandri, and a museum created by Adriano Belli, founder of the Teatro Lirico Sperimentale in 1947, which witnesses the intense theatrical activity in Spoleto: there are also autographed letters by Rossini and Verdi.