The theater in Milan won the glory of the first theater in the world almost from the first season: the best performers, luxurious scenery, modern technical equipment inspired the audience to rave reviews.
Why was a theater of this level created in Milan? The reason for this was that Milan was then under Austrian rule. The Austrian emperors paid much attention to opera, having a dynastic passion for music. They chose Milan, which was close enough to Vienna and played a large economic and political role as the capital of Lombardy.
Now it is a world-famous theater. American and Japanese sightseers set a condition for their tour operators that the second half of one of the days must be devoted to La Scala.
History of creation
In the winter of 1776, during the traditional Milanese carnival, the Royal Theater broke out. It was not possible to save him, and Empress Maria Theresa ordered the construction of another theater. They began to look for a place in the city. But there were no vacant lots in the densely built-up area. And then they decided to remove the old temple of Santa Mariaalla Scala, which bore the name of the wife of the ruler, Beatrice dela Scala. The management of the work was entrusted to the architect Giuseppe Piermarini. The construction of the new theater was estimated at 1 million lire. The money was raised by 90 richest families in the city.
When, at the beginning of construction, the church was demolished and a pit was dug for the foundation, they came across a piece of marble, on which they saw the image of Pylades, the popular mime of Ancient Rome. This was considered a good omen.
The building was built within two years and magnificently opened on August 3, 1778. At the opening, Antonio Salieri's opera "Recognized Europe" and two ballet performances: "Pafio Mirra" and "Pacified Apollo" were given.
Externally, the theater is very modest: it was built in a restrained neoclassical style of architecture. For the free passage of carriages into the courtyard, a special portal was made on the facade.
All the luxury was absorbed by the auditorium, capable of accommodating more than two thousand spectators, designed in the shape of a horseshoe, finished in a luxurious white and golden color. Decoration: gold-plated stucco, heavy-framed mirrors and a giant chandelier - truly magnificent. Lodges in five tiers, convenient arrangement of rows in relation to the stage, ceiling height - everything was created according to the laws of optics and acoustics.
The Milanese immediately fell in love with the theater. Until the end of the 18th century, dramatic performances were constantly going on here, and puppet theaters gave performances, but still opera and ballet were the main productions.
XIX century almost the entire passed under the sign of Rossini. Since the premiere of The Touchstone in 1812, a rare season has gone by without works by this composer. The theater gave operas by famous Italians: Bellini, Puccini, Verdi.
A school of dancers is organized at the theater, and the ballet troupe is replenished with Fabiani, Vulcani, Coralli, who later became the pride of Italian ballet. Here the traditions of classical ballet are laid.
In Milan, the opera parts of E. Caruso, R. Tebaldi, F. Chaliapin and L. Sobinov were performed.
In 1887, Arturo Toscanini appeared here, already famous, despite his youth (then he was only 20 years old), a conductor, known to the whole theatrical world for his short stature and heavy disposition. After 11 years, he will become the chief conductor of La Scala. Toscanini remained in this post until 1931, when he had to emigrate to America after the Nazis came to power: he completely refused to sing the anthem of the National Socialist Party before performances.
On the day of the country's liberation, April 25, 1945, the troupe, having lost its theater, gave Mozart's opera Don Giovanni on a foreign stage. A year later, Toscanini returned to the theater.
The building was rebuilt in 1946, after the Allied aircraft dropped a bomb on it in 1943, which practically destroyed the theater. Only the facade remained, to which a new building was added according to old projects.
Prima donnas and irreconcilable rivals shone in the post-war theater: Tebaldi and Kallas. In 1955, Kallas sang in La Traviata, with her performance the singer shocked Italy, becoming the personification of La Scala. In 1957, the Toscanini era ended, the great conductor died.
The theater was introduced to all continents by Paolo Grassi, who took over as director in 1974. He organized tours to different countries of the world. The ballet troupe at that time was also on the rise, performances were staged here to the music of Stravinsky, Sibelius. The repertoire includes productions by D. Balanchine, Bejart.
Over the years of the theater’s existence, interesting events have taken place there, and a large number of curious facts have accumulated:
- For convenience, the boxes were connected by a corridor, and after the opening of the theater, tables for cards were placed in it and in the boxes of the second row, and drinks were sold here. And the regulars came here not at all for the sake of the opera, but with the aim of playing a game of cards, drinking a glass of wine in the company of friends.
- The parterre was at first completely empty, without furniture; folding chairs were placed there before the performance. To illuminate the room, a lot of candles were used in the loggias, and downstairs in the parterre, the audience could not take off their hats, because the wax, having melted, fell on the face and hair.
- Toscanini, having taken the post of chief conductor, introduced several innovations: he ordered the curtain not to be raised up, but to be moved apart on different sides, motivating the innovation by the fact that when the curtain flies up, the audience contemplates only the legs and only then see the participants of the performance as a whole. He forbade women to be in the hall during performances in hats, as their large brim interfered with those sitting behind. Also after his arrival, he canceled the one-act ballet before each opera.
In 1926, the theater gave "Turandot", an unfinished work by Puccini, he died before he could finish this opera, it was finished by Franco Alfano. At the conductor's stand that evening was the famous Toscanini. Having reached the place where Puccini's work was interrupted, the director lowered his wand, announcing that the composer's heart had stopped at this fragment. The performance was over.
Modern look and repertoire
T. Milashkina was the first to be invited from the Bolshoi Theater to Milan in the 20th century. Among the Russian artists there were also V. Noreika, I. Arkhipova, V. Atlanov, E. Obraztsova.
The theater was closed for reconstruction in 2002, during which the stage was significantly expanded, and two years later the doors to the public opened again. On the new stage, according to tradition, Salieri's opera "Recognized Europe" was given. In December 2011, Daniel Bareboim, who still directs the orchestra and leads rehearsals of performances, came to the theater to take the long empty position of the chief director.
The stage can turn, rise and fall, but this is still done by hand, as during the first performances, so there are 18 employees who set the stage in motion.
Currently, concerts with the participation of symphony orchestras are regularly held here. But the main place in the repertoire is occupied by opera and ballet performances.
Theater Museum
The museum is housed in one of the wings of the theatre. There are many paintings, sketches for theatrical scenery, costumes for operas and ballet performances. The theater museum has many exhibits that tell about the life and history of the theater.
Location, opening hours and cost
Address: Via Filodrammatici, 2. 20121 Milano, Italy.
Official site: www.teatroallascala.org
You can get into the theater by buying a ticket and watch any performance, while keeping in mind that the season lasts from December 7 to the beginning of June. Nothing goes on here in summer, and in autumn you can listen to a symphony orchestra. Ticket price from 10 to 250 €. The most expensive for opera or ballet. Tickets for concerts are from 5 to 80 €.
You can also see the interiors of the theater with a guided tour, it lasts 3 hours and costs 10€ per person in a travel group. There are also private tours. Their cost 130 € .
According to the rules that exist at La Scala, performances must end before 12 at night. And if the performance is long, it starts early. It is forbidden to enter the hall after the start of the performance, and the ushers have never missed a single spectator who was late, no matter who he was.
How to get there
You can get to the theater Metro. Duomo Montenapoleono station.
The theater keeps centuries-old traditions in everything, including the dress code: here a man who does not wear a black suit to the premiere can be left outside the theater doors. Hats, bags, photo and video cameras, phones are usually left in the cloakroom. After the performance, the regulars dine at a restaurant located in the theater wing.
In contact with
Any tourist, even before his foot sets foot on Italian soil, plans what sights he would like to visit. Naturally, each person has his own tastes and preferences, but some memorable places are simply impossible to ignore. One of the visiting cards of Italy in general, and Milan in particular, is the Mecca of opera art - La Scala Theatre.
The history of Teatro La Scala is full of mysteries and incredible twists and turns. Even the very name of the theater is not as simple as it seems at first glance. The Italian term "scala" in translation means "ladder", but it was not at all such a prosaic object that inspired its creators.
The theater building was erected on the site of the ancient Milanese church named after Santa Maria della Scala. Dated from the second half of the 14th century, this church had its patroness - Beatrice Regina from the noble family of della Scala.
In February 1776, a tragic accident caused a fire to consume the Royal Ducal Theatre. The idea of creating a new theater was favorably received by Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. She wanted Milan to retain the glory of the capital of Italian opera.
Developed an architectural project Giuseppe Piermarini, and in the middle of 1776 a grandiose construction was launched. All work, starting with clearing the territory and ending with the final polish, took 2 years. The exclusive merit of the respected architect and his team was the elegant neoclassical style of the building, equipped with a special portal for the supply of horse-drawn carriages. And the amazing acoustics of the hall has become a legend for centuries.
opera theater
The opera hall was made in the form of a huge horseshoe (100 x 38 m), equipped with a classic tiered model of the arrangement of boxes (5 tiers and almost two hundred boxes). Considering that each box could accommodate up to 10 visitors, the total capacity of the theater was impressive.
The external severity of the theater building emphasized the richness and beauty of the interior decoration. The decoration, made in light and warm golden tones, struck with its elegance.
Meanwhile, the interior of the building provided for a number of entertainments for the elegant public, such as gambling rooms and buffets.
The most noble families of Italy, imbued with love for the theater, invested an impressive amount - about a million lire to create La Scala.
And for the greater pleasure of the regulars, not only chamber productions took place within the walls of the theater, but also such extravagant events as bullfighting and big card gatherings. In fact, the theater becomes the center of the secular and cultural life of the country.
The path to the glory of the most famous opera house, La Scala began on August 3, 1778. The event was magnificently decorated and was marked by the premiere of the opera Recognized Europe. A. Salieri specially created his work for this important day for the European theatrical world. Following the opera, several ballet performances were staged. The invariably full hall showed that the public favors the new theatre, regardless of estates and ranks.
The term "opera theater" itself implied the presence of a permanent troupe, opera vocalists, its own orchestra, conductor and, of course, a director.
Since opera was at the forefront in Teatro La Scala, his activity was divided into several seasons - spring, summer, autumn and the carnival season. The first three seasons contained serious pieces, while the carnival season punctuated lighter subjects with theatrical performances and ballet.
At the beginning of the 19th century, a significant part of the della Scala repertoire consisted of the works of the great master of bel canto - Rossini. It was he who introduced the vogue for multifaceted vocal technique and opera seria (serious opera). The debut of Gioacchino Antonio Rossini on the stage of La Scala was the opera Touchstone. In the next 13 years, Aureliano in Palmyra, the Maiden of the Lake, the Turk in Italy, Cinderella, the Barber of Seville, Othello sounded within the walls of the theater.
Beginning in 1822, the theater's repertoire was replenished with works by Bellini and Donizetti. In the center of the performances were the famous opera divas - M. Malibran, J. Pasta, both Grisi sisters. The creative union of composers and the talent of the performers doomed each new production to success. Until 1850, within the walls of della Scala, opera seria and opera buffa shone like diamonds - Anna Boleyn, Lucrezia Borgia, Favorite, Linda di Chamouni, Daughter of the Regiment by Donizetti. As well as the best works of Bellini - Capuleti and Montecchi, La sonnambula, Beatrice di Tenda, Puritans.
At one time, the brilliance of Italian opera and the magnificent social events that took place in Della Scala turned the heads of the English poet Byron, the French writer Stendhal and made an indelible impression on the Russian composer Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka. The latter's acquaintance with the composers Bellini and Donizetti greatly influenced Glinka's musical views and helped him turn into a full-fledged master of the musical staff. Subsequently, Glinka will write his best works in the Italian style.
With the arrival of the virtuoso Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi at La Scala, Italian opera becomes the main art of the country and even Europe. In addition to purely aesthetic pleasure, the Italians received an emotional message for the unity of the nation, a call to free themselves from the power of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Verdi skillfully disguised revolutionary impulses in the historical plots of his works, but the title of "maestro of the revolution" was firmly entrenched in him. Joan of Arc, Oberto, Count di San Bonifacio, Nabucco, Falstaff belong to his pen. Creativity Verdi was a resounding success and transformed the essence of the theater. Rejecting lightness and fun, the viewer listened to the fiery speeches of a true patriot of his country.
The appearance of the young Arturo Toscanini at La Scala is both an incredible coincidence and fate. The former conductor of the theatrical orchestra did not meet the needs of the noble public and was expelled in disgrace. Then Toscanini was invited to the podium, who, despite his 20 years, became famous for his performance of the opera Aida. Expressive and charismatic, Toscanini effortlessly won the love of jaded theatergoers.
Arturo Toscanini becomes the conductor and artistic director of the opera house, which predetermined great changes in the life of della Scala. The ebullient activity of the maestro touched on everything from lifting the curtain - not horizontally upwards, but moving apart vertically, to the obligatory rule to hand over hats to the wardrobe in order to guarantee a good view of the spectators sitting in the back rows of the stalls.
Taking as a basis the creative heritage of Giuseppe Verdi, Toscanini constantly worked on updating the theatrical repertoire. It was he who came up with the idea to turn to the opera created by Robert Wagner. In addition, the orchestra's repertoire has significantly expanded due to symphonic works. And only a clash with the new Italian government, which adheres to National Socialist views, forces Toscanini to leave La Scala and move to the USA.
Clouds of political intrigues were gathering more and more over Europe, they did not bypass Italy either. In 1943, during World War II, the famous La Scala opera house was destroyed. However, the troupe continues to rehearse in difficult military conditions and give performances on the stage of other institutions. The restless Toscanini, even abroad, does not stop worrying about his offspring.
In 1945, after the liberation of Italy, Toscani contacts the city authorities of Milan and sends them a million lire for the reconstruction of the theater.
Like the phoenix, in 1946, La Scala rises from the ashes of war to restore to the Italians the love of opera, the thirst for life. Naturally, Arturo Toscanini again became the master of the orchestra and the strict genius of the theater. The post-war decline affected the cast of the troupe; in subsequent years, della Scala turns into a forge of theatrical talents.
In 1948, Guido Cantelli made his debut as a conductor at the opera house. The lively manner of managing the orchestra, passion and undoubted talent were appreciated by Toscanini. In his incomplete 20s, Cantelli organizes a cycle of opera performances based on the work of Wagner and Verdi, gives a number of joint concerts with other respected maestro - Herbert von Karajan, Dmitry Mitroupolos and Bruno Walter.
In addition to the drama written by the composers, serious passions begin to boil on the stage of La Scala - the greatest opera divas of the 20th century, Maria Callas and Renata Tibaldi, are fighting for the title of prima. The difficult nature of Callas makes her little popular among the members of the troupe, but the directors like the amazing artistry of the singer. In 1955, Maria Callas performed the leading role in G. Verdi's opera La Traviata. The interpretation of the work by director Visconti helped Callas turn into the goddess of opera, become the face of La Scala.
At dawn in 1957, Arturo Toscanini, the man who had done so much for della Scala, died. Until 1965, the place of the conductor was occupied by various musical figures, but no one took root for a long time. Claudio Abaddo, who conducted for the first time at the Milan Opera House, showed an interesting presentation of material and great potential. He owns the following successful productions - The Barber of Seville, The Italian in Algiers, Cinderella, Macbeth, Simon Boccanegra and other works. In 1972, Abaddo became the chief conductor of La Scala. At the same time, many symphony concerts are given at the opera, ballets are staged with the involvement of Italian and foreign stars.
Artists who performed at La Scala
In the second half of the 20th century, the cradle of opera strives to become closer to the public. Stars of the world opera - Placido Domingo, Montserrat Caballe, as well as Russian voices - Fyodor Chaliapin, Tamara Milashkina, Leonid Sobinov, ballerina Svetlana Zakharova, ballet dancer - Rudolf Nureyev, performed within the walls of della Scala. In parallel with this, the theater troupe regularly tours Europe, visited the USA and Canada.
The modern look of La Scala
In the post-war years, the Teatro della Scala went through several renovations. The last of them was started in 2001 by the architect Mario Botta and lasted until 2004. In particular, the main stage of the theater was redesigned, which can now accommodate up to three actions at the same time. In addition to construction work and restoration of interiors, the total number of seats for spectators was reduced in the theater. Modern fire safety requirements have left 2030 seats at the mercy of the audience. The horseshoe of the hall stretched along the royal box, stalls and five tiers of boxes. True connoisseurs of opera prefer to settle in galleries, where, in their opinion, the best acoustics are observed.
Today, like several centuries ago, the La Scala Opera House begins its season on December 7, on the feast of St. Ambrose, the patron saint of the city of Milan. All winter, until June, the theater is the temple of the opera. In autumn, the time for symphony concerts begins, which are given by the Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1982. In addition, the theater has its own choir and ballet troupe.
Repertoire
The modern repertoire of the theater is designed for the most diverse tastes, here you can go to the production of the classics - Verdi, Wagner, Puccini, Bellini, Rossini, Gounod, Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Donizetti. However, new trends are also not alien to theater directors, fashionable novelties and an alternative reading of famous works are regularly present in the repertoire of La Scala.
Ticket price and booking
The cost of tickets to La Scala ranges from 29 to several hundred euros. Seats with a good view will cost a lot of money. The most valuable seats are in the stalls, on the gallery, front rows in boxes. On the opening day of the season, the most striking and expected action takes place, which can only be looked at by laying out an impressive amount. Reservations and tickets are made using the theater's online system or directly in Milan. However, the La Scala opera is valued above all earthly riches, you should take care of tickets in advance.
Find a hotel near La Scala theaterTheater address
Museum of La Scala
In conclusion, it is worth mentioning that at della Scala there is a museum filled with beautiful, amazing and wonderful things that are directly related to the life of the theater. On the walls of the museum you can see portraits of famous opera divas. The canvas depicting G. Pasta in the costume of Anne Boleyn, written by K. Bryullov, is especially popular. In addition, the exposition includes busts of several prominent composers, the death mask of G. Verdi, models for the most outstanding productions and other memorable exhibits. The ticket price for the La Scala Theater Museum is 6 euros.
Attractions located near La Scala Theater
A leisurely walk from the walls of the theater along an alley decorated with mosaics will lead to the square where it is located (Doumo). The Gothic medieval building impresses with lancet peaks of the roofs and rich decoration. Another interesting attraction is located nearby - this is a monument to the Italian inventor, artist and scientist,.
↘️🇮🇹 USEFUL ARTICLES AND SITES 🇮🇹↙️ SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Great musicians and conductors, famous opera voices and the best ballet dancers, inimitable performances on the largest stage in Europe - all this is the magnificent and unique La Scala Theater. It has become a symbol of Her Majesty of Classical Music.
History of the oldest theater in Milan
Today, the La Scala theater is located in the ancient center of Milan on a small square, in the middle of which stands a monument to Leonard da Vinci. Its history goes way back...
In the 14th century, there was a small church of St. Mary on this site, which was patronized by a noble lady from the wealthy de Scala family.
In 1776, the Royal Ducal Theater in Milan perishes in a severe fire. Italy was then part of Austria-Hungary, and Empress Maria Theresa decides to build a new theater. The territory has been determined - on the site of the dilapidated church of La Scala.
Milan waited with bated breath, because 90 city aristocrats allocated incredible money for the building - a million lire. In just 2 years, the architect Giuseppe Piermarini designed and built a luxurious building.
The interior of the theater
In the construction of the theatre, the architect applied optical laws for the first time, so from any point of the huge hall the viewer perfectly sees and hears what is happening on the stage.
All the boxes, and there were 194 of them plus the royal one, were located in five tiers, all this was bordered by a gallery where you could buy drinks or play card games. Each box accommodated 8-10 people, and there were only 2 chairs.
But there were no seats in the stalls, and chairs were placed before the performance. Indeed, in the hall, in addition to ballet and opera performances, a carnival was held annually, and even a bullfight.
The hall was lit with candles, wax dripped on the heads of the audience. There was no heating, and the ladies wrapped themselves in furs. But the interior shocked with luxurious overflows of gold, silver and white shades.
The carriages were brought directly to the theatre, where the entrance for carriages was arranged.
The La Scala Opera House could not boast of a huge stage, but the acoustic capabilities turned out to be unsurpassed - any sound of a musical instrument or a singer could be heard clearly throughout the hall, although there was no orchestra pit, and the musicians were located on the stage.
The theater quickly became a fashionable place. Someone wanted to hear the latest music, someone - to have fun, play cards, meet ladies and chat with friends.
Even the writer Stendhal, who arrived in Italy, could not resist, he writes reviews about the La Scala theater in his diary. He tells his friends about him in letters, enthusiastically noting luxurious costumes, multiple changes of scenery during one performance, amazing voices.
Birth of a legend
The Teatro alla Scala opened its doors in August 1778. For this event, A. Salieri specially wrote the opera "Recognized Europe". On the opening day, another opera was also performed, two ballets were staged.
For the full-fledged work of the theater, the presence of a troupe was required. The history of La Scala in Milan is divided into periods depending on which composer or conductor led it, what musical preferences they brought to Milanese society.
The theater survived the era of Gioacchino Rossini, Giuseppe Verdi, Arturo Toscanini. Since 2015, La Scala has been led by Ricardo Chailly, an Italian conductor.
It was La Scala that became the place where the Italian composers Anfossi, Paisiello, Cimaroso, Guglielmi, Mercadante, Cherubini, Maira received their first fame. The names of G. Rossini, V. Bellini, G. Donizetti, G. Puccini thundered to the whole world from the hall of the Milan theater. Their operas were first shown to the demanding Italian public at La Scala.
The works of G. Verdi became popular in Europe after being staged on the stage of the Milan theater.
Performance in the Milan theater has become a sign of world recognition for a singer, musician, dancer or conductor.
The rebirth of La Scala
During the Second World War, the building was badly damaged during the bombings. A major overhaul was required. La Scala conductor Antonio Toscanini, who left for America, sends funds to restore the building. In April 1946, the renovated theater opens its doors, Toscanini again stands at the conductor's stand.
Theater restoration
But time passed, the premises dilapidated, the equipment ceased to meet modern requirements. In 2001 the building was closed for renovation. But the performances did not stop, they were transferred to the stage of the Arcimboldi Theater.
Work continued from 2002 to 2004. What was done:
- the stage is enlarged by 3 times, now 800 artists can easily fit on it;
- installed modern computer equipment for the orchestra and scenery;
- expanded warehouses, offices, dressing rooms;
- additional buildings were added to the theatre.
Costumes and scenery are created in Ansaldo's specially designated workshops, where famous costumes and props from past performances are stored.
The work was carried out by the Swiss architect Mario Botta, he managed to renovate the theater, leaving its magnificent classical style unchanged.
Now the auditorium is an ancient luxury combined with modern comfort. The extraordinary acoustics of the hall are carefully preserved, the performers can be heard even without amplifying devices.
Hall and acoustics
How can you describe the La Scala auditorium in two words? Luxury and convenience.
Velvet chairs for 2015 people are now equipped with electronic devices, on the scoreboard, which have captions in 3 languages. The walls are covered with gilding and decorated with stucco. Huge mirrors amplify the light.
While waiting for the performance, you can take a walk in the foyer, where sculptures of famous composers are installed.
Stars at La Scala
The theater in Milan is the place of recognition for the singer. It is a great honor to perform on the stage of La Scala. T. Ruffo, T. Skipa, G. Benzanzoni, de Luca, M. Caniglia, B. Gigli, M. Del Monaco, F. Corelli, E. Caruso, P. Domingo and many others sang here.
Of the Russian singers, Fyodor Chaliapin and Leonid Sobinov conquered the Italian public.
The brainchild of La Scala
At the theater in the middle of the 20th century, a Philharmonic Orchestra was created. He gives individual performances on the stage of La Scala.
In 1955, the Piccola Scala was opened - a branch of the famous Milan theater, where in a small hall for half a thousand seats you can see and hear the music of ancient composers performed by a chamber orchestra. The works of new authors are also placed here.
What's in the theater's repertoire
Now in the theater "La Scala" every music lover will find a suitable piece for himself. The theater's repertoire includes the most famous classical works by Italian, French, German and Russian composers: Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Bellini, Debussy, Mozart, Wagner, Mussorgsky, Verdi, Rossini, Puccini, Gounod and others.
theater season
In the 18th-19th centuries, the La Scala poster depended on the season. In spring, summer and autumn serious operas were staged at the theatre, and there were even dramatic and puppet performances. During the carnival, the theater delighted with ballet and light cheerful operas.
Now the season starts on December 7th and ends in November. Usually operas and ballets alternate in the poster, a symphony orchestra regularly performs, and children's performances are given.
Today, La Scala is not only traditional classical compositions, but also original author's productions of well-known operas and ballets, as well as bold and controversial innovative plays.
How to book tickets and their cost
It would seem that tickets to the most famous opera house in the world cannot be cheap. However, the cheapest ticket for an opera costs 11 euros, for ballet - 5, for performances of a symphony orchestra - 6.5. Any tourist who sees the performance from the gallery can afford such a ticket.
Of course, there are never many such tickets, so you need to take care of them in advance by ordering them on the theater website or in the theater booking service. Another option is to go to an authorized point of sale or box office located throughout the city.
However, you can buy a ticket to La Scala in Milan and a couple of hours before the performance, dealers are waiting on the theater square. But in this case, you need to be prepared that very expensive tickets will be offered:
- to the opera - up to 2000 euros;
- for ballet - up to 250 euros;
- for a concert - up to 90 euros.
Facts from the history of La Scala
The La Scala theater was the first in Europe to have electricity. There were 365 light bulbs in the central chandelier.
In 1964, for the first time, La Scala performed in Moscow on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater, while the Bolshoi troupe toured in Milan.
In 2008, the title of "star" was awarded to the Russian ballerina Svetlana Zakharova for the first time.
Conductor Arturo Toscanini changed the rules for visiting the theater. He forbade the ladies to sit in huge fashionable hats, as they blocked the view of other spectators. Toscanini changed the program: before the opera, they stopped showing ballet performances. He also introduced a rule that the curtain should not be pulled up, opening the stage, but moved apart - only in this case the artists are visible in their entirety.
The nuances of a visit
You won’t come to the La Scala theater in jeans or a sweater. Men are only allowed in a suit and tie, a tuxedo is desirable. Women pass in long evening dresses. Furs and diamonds are welcome!
If you lose your ticket, you don’t have to be upset - an hour before the performance, a new ticket will be issued at the box office if the check is saved.
You cannot give your ticket to the theater to anyone - it is nominal.
Children can be brought to the theater from the age of 5. But if the child interferes with the rest of the audience, the performance will have to be watched in the lobby, where screens are installed on which the performance is broadcast.
Theater Museum
Even without visiting the performance of the La Scala theater in Milan, you can visit this famous building by going to the theater museum, which is located on the 2nd floor.
200 years of theatrical history is presented in 10 halls:
- stories of famous composers whose works were heard within these walls;
- instruments of great musicians, including Antonio Toscanini's baton, Franz Liszt's grand piano;
- luxury suits;
- documents and posters;
- the table of the composer G. Verdi and his death mask.
The ticket costs about 5 euros. From the museum, through the foyer, they pass to the box, from where the entire legendary auditorium is visible.
How to get to the theater "La Scala"
The address of the La Scala theater in Milan is Filodrammatici street, house 2.
You can get there:
- by tram number 1 and 2 to the Manzoni Scala stop;
- bus number 61;
- by metro, using the red or yellow line, get off at Duomo station.
Well, it's even easier to take a taxi to arrive on time and fully enjoy an exquisite evening.
The La Scala theater in Milan is considered one of the most famous in the world, it is rightfully called the pride and opera pearl of Italy. Thousands of tourists annually seek to visit La Scala and see the performance of opera and ballet stars.
The name of the theater is associated with the ancient Milanese church, which was located on this site several centuries ago - Santa Maria della Scala. The theater was named after her. Although many people think that “scala” in Italian means “stairs”, therefore the name somehow correlates with this word.
The theater, of course, deserves great attention not only as the greatest object of culture and art - from the point of view of its history, it is also quite interesting.
General view of the theater "La Scala" on google-panorama
Tickets for La Scala Theater in Milan
Tickets for an opera, ballet, symphony orchestra concert cost an average of 30 to 400 euros. The price, of course, depends on the seat you choose: the cheapest tickets are in the so-called "blind zone" of the amphitheater, which is located at a considerable distance from the stage (the last rows); tickets to the stalls are more expensive, but the spectator sitting in front can also block your view; the most sought-after and expensive tickets are in the central boxes: there is an excellent view of the stage.
A 25% discount is available for any performance on any day for teenagers under 18 years old, students under 26 years old, pensioners over 65 years old. In the theater, you need to present not only a ticket, but also a document that allows you to book a seat at a reduced price.
Tickets can be purchased at the theater box office at the entrance, or you can buy online - through the official website of La Scala. Each ticket is personalized, so before buying you will have to fill out a small form with your data. For this reason, the ticket cannot be resold.
Tickets to the La Scala Theater Museum
You can also purchase tickets to the La Scala Museum and a tour of the theater and its workshop. A ticket to the museum for an adult will cost 9 euros, for a group of 15 people - 6 euros for each (schoolchildren over 12 years old, pensioners over 65 years old can purchase tickets at the same price); schoolchildren under 12 years old, disabled people, guides will pass free of charge.
It is possible not to stand in a long line at the box office and book tickets for a group of tourists or schoolchildren on the site.
For a fee (3 euros each), you can rent virtual reality glasses and use them to imagine yourself as a world-famous singer or dancer performing on the legendary La Scala stage.
Theater tours
As for theater tours, the prices are as follows: standard guided tour (45 minutes) for a group of up to 20 people - 25 euros each; a more complete and detailed tour (approximately 60 minutes) for a group of up to 20 people - 50 euros each. For those who want to book an exclusive tour (duration - 90 minutes), the ticket will cost 500 euros for a group of 1 to 5 people and 1000 euros for a group of 5 to 10 people. You will be guided through the theater, and access to the museum will also be open. Tours are held at a time when there are no performances and rehearsals. The guides speak English, Italian and French. You can also go to the theater with an organized tourist group with a Russian-speaking guide (this service is not available on the theatre's website, for this you will need to contact a travel agency or a Russian-speaking guide for help).
Tickets to the workshop "Ansaldo" for adults - 25 euros; for a group of 4 to 20 people - 15 euros per person; excursion for a group of schoolchildren (maximum 25 people) in Italian - 100 euros, in other languages - 130 euros. Free ticket for people with disabilities. You need to book tickets for a tour of the workshop in advance on the website (2 days before the visit).
Taxi
Uber services are available in Milan, so you can call a taxi anywhere in the city through the mobile app.
Theater "La Scala" on video
Opera originated in Italy and later developed there as a musical and dramatic art. Since the beginning of the seventeenth century, Venice or Naples were considered opera centers. After the La Scala theater was built by order of the Austrian Queen Maria Theresa, the palm in this kind of genre passed to Milan. And so it remains to this day. This "Temple of the Opera", as it is commonly called by the public, has its own choir, ballet troupe and unsurpassed orchestra, famous for their amazing performances throughout the world.
Background to Milanese Pride
The Teatro alla Scala was erected on the site where the Milanese church once stood, which later gave its name to the new building. The building was designed by the famous architect Gioseppe Piermarini of those years and built over two years in 1778.
All the magnificence of the building is hidden behind a strict and not very noticeable facade, which is made in the neoclassical style. La Scala (Milan) was built very quickly, as its predecessor burned down, and the Italian aristocracy demanded a faster outcome of construction and longed for new performances. Therefore, no special attention was paid to the external, but this did not affect the interior decoration of the auditorium with perfect acoustics, where all the rules of optics were observed when arranging seats.
In addition to the opera and ballet, there were many places in the building where the local public could have fun. These were various gambling rooms and buffets, in which large gambling gatherings took place and brought great pleasure to the Milanese aristocracy. Thus, for the whole country, La Scala became a real center of social life. Milan became a city where theater-goers and opera lovers from all over the world aspired to go.
The building underwent reconstruction more than once, and during the Second World War it was completely wiped off the face of the earth and then restored to its original form by the engineer and architect L. Secchi.
Artists and great people who performed within the walls of the theater
The greatest masters of that time created their works for La Scala. Italy has always been looking forward to what's new in the seasons, which at that time were divided into spring, summer, autumn and carnival time. The first three always delighted the audience with serious operas, and the fourth was devoted to ballet and various light theatrical productions.
In the nineteenth century, most of the theater's repertoire consisted of operas written by the famous master of bel canto - Gioacchino Antonio Rossini. It was thanks to him that the serious style of performing this genre came into fashion. Then Donizetti and Bellini surprised the audience with their works, and they were performed by well-known opera divas - Maria Malibran, Giuditta Pasta and many others.
But the most significant event of that time was the arrival at La Scala (Milan) of the world-famous Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi. It is thanks to him that Italian opera has become so popular not only in Italy, but throughout Europe.
An equally significant twist of fate was the appearance in the theater of Arturo Toscanini, who already in his younger years became famous thanks to the wonderful performance of the work "Aida". Before him, there was a conductor at La Scala who completely did not meet any necessary requirements, but Toscanini was able to conquer even picky theatergoers with his play. Subsequently, in addition to his main position, he also became an artistic director, which brought many positive changes to the life of the theater.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, on the stages of La Scala, Milan and its theatrical audience could see how the main opera divas of that century, such as Renata Tibaldi, fought for the title of prima, and many world celebrities performed here: Luciano Pavarotti, Enrico Caruso, Montserrat Caballe, Placiddo Domingo, as well as the best voices of Russia: Fedor Chaliapin, Leonid Sobinov and many others.
Repertoire of our days
The theater opens its doors to art lovers on December 7th, and the season ends in the middle of summer. Today, the opera La Scala can be both classical and modern. The works of composers of past and present times are heard from the stage. The best conductors, directors and artists from all over the world are invited to participate in them.
Once every two or three years, such famous performances and operas as “Aida”, “Falstaff” and “Otello”, the creator of which is Giuseppe Verdi, as well as “Madama Butterfly” by composer Giacomo Puccini and a work known to many theatergoers, are staged on the stage of the theater. Vincenzo Belinni Norma. They are presented to the public both in classical style and in modern processing - thanks to the unsurpassed technical parameters of the theater, enabling the director to embody any whim that he wants to use in a theatrical production. Therefore, here the repertoire always pleases its viewer.
In addition to these great classics, here you can find operas for every taste. For example, such world-class composers as Richard Wagner, Gioacchino Rossini, Gaetano Donizetti, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Modest Mussorgsky and Charles Francois Gounod.
Between opera and theater productions during the season, the audience is delighted with concerts of various world stars and performances of their own choir, accompanied by an orchestra.
What is the role of ballet?
From the very first days of the foundation of the theater, ballet art has occupied a significant place in the repertoire of La Scala. On the opening day, Milan and its public saw a delightful production of "Prisoners of Cyprus", the choreographer of which was the well-known Legrand.
The greatest people who played a significant role in ballet, such as L. Dupin, D. Rossi and W. Garcia, worked within the walls of the theater.
In the nineteenth century, the theater's ballet troupe became the most famous and popular in all of Europe. A little later, a ballet school was founded within the walls of La Scala, where the best choreographers taught.
Museum
Next to the theater building, there is another building, which contains many exhibits dedicated not only to La Scala, but to the entire operatic art of Italy as a whole. Here you can see costumes, personal belongings and photographs of famous artists, as well as various musical instruments and even several board games that the theater audience of the past was fond of at one time. Most of the collection of these items was bought at auction in the early twentieth century.
Tickets and current rules
In order to get into the theater building, you must follow a certain dress code. Men should be dressed in beautiful strict suits, and ladies - in long dresses with covered shoulders.
You can buy tickets to La Scala starting from 25 euros and ending with several hundred. Opening day is the biggest cost of entry, and it's best to book your seats in advance. The rest of the season, you can pay about thirty euros for visiting the theater, and this is taking into account the fact that the chair is in the gallery.
Despite such prices, many opera lovers try to get here at the very beginning of the season.
