Venetian theater given new lease of life

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VENICE, Italy (CNN) -- One of the stars of this year's Venice Carnival was Teatro La Fenice, twice burnt to the ground and rebuilt.

For the first time in 25 years, this iconic home of Italian opera hosted the Cavalchina Ball, a significant milestone for the theatre.

After arsonists struck in 1996, little was left of the building. It remained a burnt-out shell until 2001 when reconstruction began.

The 1996 fire echoed a similar event in 1836, when another blaze destroyed the original theatre, built in 1790, on the Campo San Fantin site.

The theatre's manager, Gianpaolo Vianello, told CNN that the theatre was one of Italy's most important buildings for music.

For seven years, between the building's fire and its reconstruction, Venice was without music, he says.

"The fire completely destroyed this theatre. It was liked Ground Zero, this space," Vianello says.

"Because all of it is in gold it was very difficult to find enough artisans who could work with this type of material. They decided to recreate a school to prepare the new artisans and 120 artisans worked for three years to rebuild this orchestra, this space."

The third reincarnation of La Fenice was brought to life by famed Italian architect Aldo Rossi.

Rebuilt in 19th century style, operas and musical concerts once again entertain.

The walls of La Fenice may be new, but the traditions of the 18th and 19th century remain, not only through music but also through the famous masked Cavalchina Ball.

For one night only, the stalls of the opera house were removed and La Fenice was transformed into a ballroom.

In English "La Fenice" means the phoenix, and it seems that the phoenix has risen from the ashes once again, as concerts, operas and balls continue.

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