La Scala Theatre

La Scala, or Teatro alla Scala in Italian is one of the world’s most famous opera houses located in the heart of Milan, Italy. The theater opened its doors to the public on 3 August 1778 and was originally known as the Nuovo Regio Ducale Teatro alla Scala. The first ever, premiere performance was Antonio Salieri’s Europa riconosciuta. The opera house quickly became the home of Italian Opera with the first works of opera composers the likes of Verdi, Bellini, and Puccini having their works performed there.

The theater is built on the site of the church of Santa Maria della Scala – Holy Mary of the Staircase. “Scalla” means staircase in Italian. The theater has more than 3000 seats organized into 678 pit-stalls, arranged in six tiers of boxes above which is the ‘loggione’ or two galleries. The loggione is typically crowded with the most critical of customers, who can be ecstatic or merciless towards singers. Italy is known for it high quality taste, and the opinion of opera is one Italians take seriously. La Scalla is know for highly critical audiences, so one may take part in this playful environment and gain a unique cultural experience while in attendance.

In 1943, during World War II, La Scala was severely damaged by bombing. It was rebuilt and reopened on 11 May 1946, with a memorable concert conducted by Toscanini and featuring a soprano solo by Renata Tebaldi which created a sensation. The opera has been open since this date and hosts an unrivaled season each year.