the old theatre hosted its last festival in 1992, and construction of a brand-new theatre was under way. it was completed at a cost of £34 million, 90 per cent of which was raised through donations, which gave the donors control of 28% of the seats. the inaugural performance in the new theatre on 28 may 1994, given sixty years to the day after the old theatre's first performance, was "le nozze di figaro".