Created in Rovigo in 1994, Opera Prima Festival's aim was to bring a new theatrical generation to the attention of critics, a generation that in the Nineties struggled to come to light and was left outside the Italian theatres. OPERA PRIMA became a sort of "home" and a point of reference for this generation, the self-described Invisible Theatres generation. With its help, a large number of artists managed to rise from this "invisibility". This Festival was the first to show to both the audience and critics actors like Ascanio Celestini and Roberto Latini, and groups like Motus, Fanny & Alexander, Teatro Clandestino, Masque Teatro, Ariette, etc.

As a sign of recognition, the Festival was awarded with the UBU prise “Giuseppe Bartolucci” from a jury chaired by the critic Franco Quadri. With Massimo Munaro and Teatro del Lemming as directors and the Ente Rovigo Festival as organiser, Opera Prima received also a recognition and funding from the MiBACT.

The Festival was closed in 2002 because of some funding cuts from the Municipality of Rovigo, even though it was one of its promoters. It started up again in 2006, thanks to Teatro del Lemming, with a broader and international aim, bringing to Rovigo important artists, like Alejandro Jodorowski, and rising groups coming from France, Canada, Egypt, and from all over the world. Then other cuts. Then nothing.

In 2018, a new team composed by people who have been close to the history of the Festival, decided to establish the association Festival Opera Prima and to relaunch the Festival once again.