In the mid-1970s, a generation had the idea that theatre could change the world. That period saw the rise of innovators who would go on to dominate the international scene over the following decades: Peter Brook, the Living Theatre, Eugenio Barba, Jerzy Grotowski, Ariane Mnouchkine, Meredith Monk, Andrei Şerban, Giuliano Scabia, Dacia Maraini, Robert Wilson and Luca Ronconi. Ronconi, fresh from the international success of his Orlando furioso and Orestea, was nominated as director of the Biennale International Theatre Festival in 1974. He summoned everyone to Venice for an unforgettable festival-workshop, attracting hundreds of young performers, some of who went on to enjoy long theatrical careers, such as Sandro Lombardi, Giorgio Barberio Corsetti and Federico Tiezzi.