 At the end of the 18th century the Teatro San Samuele lost much of its former prestige.In 1770 the Grimani family had been forced to sell the theatre due to the economic crisis that hit the Venetian aristocracy.The theatre continued to operate until 6 April 1807 when it was ordered closed by a Napoleonic decree which also shut down the Teatro San Cassiano, the Teatro San Angelo, and the Teatro San Luca.