Teatro Sociale di Milano, inaugurated in 1850, was the first theater in Europe with electric lighting. In 1873 the City Administration named the theater after literary giant Alessandro Manzoni, upon the author’s death. The theater was destroyed by bombing during World War II, in 1943. The new 1,100-seat Teatro della via Manzoni was born on October 20, 1950. Seasonal programs feature traditional theater productions and variety entertainment. Among the greats that have performed at Teatro Manzoni: Eduardo De Filippo, Jean Louis Barrault, Madeleine Renaud, Gerard Philippe, Vittorio Gassman, Valeria Moriconi, Gabriele Lavia, Giorgio Albertazzi, Gian Maria Volontè, Aldo and Carlo Giuffrè, Ombretta Colli, Gigi Proietti, Ornella Vanoni, Monica Vitti, Ugo Tognazzi, Mariangela Melato, Sergio Castellitto and Franco Branciaroli. In response to popular demand, the theater has expanded its schedule to include concerts.