Virgilio Marchi Biography
Virgilio Marchi (1895 – 1960) was a set designer and architect born in Livorno. Prominent exponent of the second Futurism and one of the greatest Italian set designers, Virgilio Marchi formed a strong friendship from a young age with Filippo Tommaso Marinetti for whom he designed a villa in Capri in 1927. His drawings represent the perfect synthesis between architectural culture and urban planning of the avant-gardes such as Antonio Sant'Elia and Mario Chiattone, and pure formal research. In 1925 he renovated the Odescalchi Theatre, equipping it with a modern electrical system, the Bragaglia Art House and the Independent Theatre, and then also developed the restoration project of the ancient baths of Rome, in Via degli Avignonesi. In 1929 he designed sets and costumes for two operas by Gioachino Rossini, L'italiana in Algeri and La cinderella; in 1930 he began his collaboration with Lamberto Picasso's company and then published Italia nuova in 1931. In 1934 he participated in the Volta Conference, organized by the Italian Academy and, between 1948 and 1952, he created the Cinema Odeon in Livorno, now substantially demolished. His cinematographic activity culminates with the collaboration with prominent directors such as Mario Bonnard, Raffaello Matarazzo, Alessandro Blasetti, for whom he also created the sets for "The Iron Crown". He also worked with Guido Brignone, Augusto Genina, Roberto Rossellini (“The Villain Killing Machine”, “Francesco Jester of God”, “Europa 51”), Pietro Germi (“The President”), Vittorio De Sica (“Umberto D”, “ Termini Station").
