 One of the most important Venetian theatres of the 17th and 18th centuries, the Teatro San Samuele was constructed in 1656 through a commission made by the Grimani family a year earlier.Initially the theatre was used primarily for plays but in the 18th century the house became more closely associated with opera and ballet.The famous playwright and librettist Carlo Goldoni notably served as the theatre's director from 1737–1741, and many of his works were premiered at the theatre during his career.