La Scala Opera House

Milan's most opulent spot is undoubtedly the velvet-draped theater known as La Scala. It is probably the most renowned opera house in the world, known as the premier place to perform or see an opera or ballet. It has four tiers of separate loggias, gallery seating on the floor, and an upper level known as the Loggione, where the "cheap seats" are located, famous for its enthusiasts through the centuries who either cheered or jeered boisterously.

The Teatro alla Scala was commissioned by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria during her cultural enrichment of Milano, which also instituted the Brera Gallery, botanical garden, national library and observatory in the city. The theater was built to replace the Royal Ducal theater, which was destroyed by fire in 1776. To construct the grand opera house, however, the church of Santa Maria alla Scala was demolished, which is what gave the new monument its name. Loggia owners in the old ducal theater funded the Teatro alla Scala and retained their treasured private boxes. It was designed by architect Giuseppe Piermarini and opened in 1778.

Its fame and prestige was sealed by Giachino Rossini, who debuted his greatest operas here. The theater's scope was widened to include ballet. It became the definitive place to perform and its composers and directors read like a Who's Who of the operatic world: Donizetti, Bellini, Verdi, Toscanini. The latter became its artistic director, and he instituted what were then radical ideas that included new marketing vigor and foreign composers' works, along with symphonic music. La Scala became the definitive name in its realm. Its lobby was used as a casino and marketplace, even throughout performances! The theater was badly damaged in 1943 by bombing, but was the first monument in Milano to be rebuilt post-war.

Visit the gorgeous space; reserve tickets online for a very special and elegant evening in Milan. Or just take a tour and see the museum, which has antique instruments, busts and portraits, and other displays that cover the history and great figures connected to the most famous theater in the world. The La Scala Foundation is also a prestigious academy offering music, dance and theater management classes.