Opera and Ballet Theater "La Scala", Milan, Italy: repertoire

The opera originated in Italy and later developed there as a musical and dramatic art. Since the beginning of the seventeenth century, the opera centers were considered to be Venice or Naples. After the theater was built "La Scala" by order of the Austrian Queen Maria-Theresa, the palm of first place in this kind of genre passed to Milan. So it remains to this day. This "Temple of the Opera", as it is usually called in the public, has its own choir, ballet troupe and unsurpassed orchestra, famous for their amazing performances to the whole world.

Prehistory of Milan's pride

The theater "La Scala" was erected on the site where once stood the Milanese church, later named the new structure. The building was designed by the famous architect of those years, Joseppe Piermarini, and was built for two years in 1778.

All the magnificence of the building is hidden behind a strict and not very noticeable facade, which is made in neoclassical style. "La Scala" (Milan) was erected very quickly, as his predecessor burned down, and the Italian aristocracy demanded a faster outcome of construction and craved for new performances. Therefore, the appearance of the theater was not given much attention, but this did not affect the interior decoration of the auditorium with an ideal acoustics, where all the rules of optics were observed when locating places.

In addition to opera and ballet, there were many places in the building where the local audience could entertain. These were various gambling rooms and buffets, in which passed the big card games and enjoyed the great pleasure of the Milan aristocracy. Thus, for the whole country, La Scala became the real center of secular life. Milan became a city where theater and opera lovers from all over the world tried to get.

The building was reconstructed more than once, and during the Second World War it was completely wiped off the face of the earth and then restored in its original form by the engineer and architect L. Secchi.

Artists and great people performing in the theater

The greatest masters of that time created their works for La Scala. Italy has always waited impatiently for what will be new in the seasons, which were shared in that period for spring, summer, autumn and carnival time. In the first three, the audience was always pleased with serious operatic works, and the fourth was dedicated 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 is thanks to him that the serious style of performance of this genre entered into fashion. Then their works surprised the audience of Donizetti and Bellini, and they were performed by all the famous opera divas - Maria Malibran, Giuditta Pasta and many others.

But the most significant event of that time was the arrival in the "La Scala" (Milan) of the world-famous Italian composer Dzuzeppe Verdi. It was thanks to him that the Italian opera became so popular not only in Italy, but also throughout Europe.

No less significant turn of fate was the appearance in the theater of Arturo Toscanini, who already in his young years became famous for the wonderful performance of the work "Aida". Prior to him in "La Scala" was a conductor, completely not meeting any necessary requirements, but Toscanini could conquer his game even picky theatergoers. Later he became, in addition to his main post, also an art director, which brought many positive changes in the life of the theater.

In the early twentieth century, on the scenes of La Scala, Milan and his theatrical audience could contemplate how the main opera divas of the century, such as Renata Tibaldi and Maria Callas, fought for the title of prima. There were many world celebrities: Luciano Pavarotti, Enrico Caruso, Montserrat Caballe, Placido Domingo, as well as the best voices in Russia: Fedor Chaliapin, Leonid Sobinov and many others.

The repertoire of our days

The theater opens its doors for lovers of art on the 7th of December, and the season ends in the middle of summer. To date, the opera "La Scala" can be both classical and modern. From the stage are heard the works of composers of past and present times. To participate in them are invited the best conductors, directors and artists from around the world.

Once in two or three years on the stage of the theater there are such famous performances and operas as Aida, Falstaff and Othello, whose creator is Giuseppe Verdi, as well as the Madama Butterfly of the composer Giacomo Puccini and the work known to many theater-goers Vincenzo Bellini "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 theatrical production. Therefore, here the repertoire always pleases its viewer.

In addition to these great classics, you can find operas for every taste. For example, world-class composers such as Richard Wagner, Gioacchino Rossini, Gaetano Donizetti, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Modest Mussorgsky and Charles Francois Gounod.

Between the opera and theatrical performances during the season, the audience is pleased with the concerts of various world stars and the performances of their own choir, accompanied by the orchestra.

What role does ballet play?

From the very first days of the founding of the theater, ballet art occupied a significant place in the repertoire of La Scala. Milan and his audience on the opening day saw a delightful production of "Captive Cypriot", the choreographer of which was well-known to all known Legran.

The greatest people who played an important role in the ballet, such as L. Dupin, D. Rossi and U. Garcia, worked in the theater.

In the nineteenth century, the ballet troupe of the theater became the most famous and popular in all of Europe. A little later in the walls of "La Scala" was founded the ballet school, where the best choreographers were taught.

The Museum

Next to the building of the theater, there is another structure, in which there are many exhibits dedicated not only to La Scala, but to the whole opera art of Italy as a whole. Here you can see the costumes, personal effects and photographs of famous artists, as well as a variety of musical instruments and even a few table games, which at one time was fond of the theater public of the past. Most of the collection of these items was purchased 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.

Buy tickets to the "La Scala" can be starting from 25 euros and ending with several hundred. On the opening day - the highest entry cost, and it is better to book a place in advance. During the rest of the season, you can pay about thirty euros for a visit to the theater, and this is in view of the fact that the chair is located on a galley.

Despite such prices, many fans of the opera try to get here at the very beginning of the season.