Opened 31 July 1779 as "Teatro del Fondo" with Domenico Cimarosa's opera "L'infedele fedele" (in the presence of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart). 1799 briefly named "Teatro Patriottico". 1871 renamed in honour of the Italian composer, Saverio Mercadante (1795-1870). Originally used as an opera house. From ca. 1900 mainly used as a drama theatre. 1963 closed due to safety concerns. From 1973 rebuildings. From the 1980s used as an exhibition space and event location. Since 1995 again used as a drama theatre. 553 seats.

Notable world premieres:

• Domenico Cimarosa: L'infedele fedele (20 July 1779)
• Giuseppe Gazzaniga: La viaggiatrice (1780)
• Vicente Martín y Soler: L'amor geloso (1782)
• Domenico Cimarosa: La villana riconosciuta (1783)
• Gioacchino Rossini: Le nozze di Teti e Peleo (24 Apr 1816)
• Gioacchino Rossini: Otello, ossia il Moro di Venezia (4 Dec 1816)
• Gaetano Donizetti: La lettera anonima (29 June 1822)
• Giuseppe Balducci: L'amante virtuoso (1 Apr 1823)
• Giuseppe Mosca: L'abate de l'Epée (27 June 1826)
• Gaetano Donizetti: Il borgomastro di Saardam (19 Aug 1827)
• Gaetano Donizetti: Gianni di Calais (2 Aug 1828)
• Gaetano Donizetti: Il giovedi grasso (26 Feb 1829)
• Gaetano Donizetti: La romanziera e l'uomo nero (18 June 1831)
• for more world premieres, see Wikipedia

Links: teatrodinapoli.it, EUTA, Wikipedia