Teatro alla Scala
October 2017
La Scala was inaugurated in 1778.
The premiere performance was Antonio Salieri's Europa Riconosciuta.
Many of the finest singers from around the world, have appeared at La Scala.
The theatre is regarded as one of the leading opera and ballet theatres in the world.
We saw Verdi's opera Nambucco at La Scala.
You could select English, Italian or German sub-titles on the small screen on the back of the seat in front of you.
A fire destroyed a previous theatre, the Teatro Regio Ducale, in 1776, after a carnival gala.
After much argument it was decided to build a new theatre on the former location of the church of Santa Maria alla Scala.
The church was deconsecrated and demolished and, over a period of two years, the theatre was completed.
The name Scala comes from the powerful Scala family of Verona.
In the 1300s Verona was the capital of a wide territory that extended over almost the whole of north-east of Italy.
As it often happened at that time, together with wars, Scala family leaders tried to consolidate their power through wedding alliances with neighboring countries.
In 1350, Mastino II della Scala, Lord of Verona, gave his doughter Beatrice away to Bernabò Visconti,
eminent lord of Milan that was extending his control over Lombardy down to the West coast of Lake Garda, right to the border of Verona territory.
Despite the marriage being arranged, it turned out succesful and abiding.
Bernabò and Beatrice had fifteen children and when she died in 1384, he imposed on all Milan citizens a year of mourning.
Because of her great dignity and royal manners Beatrice was known by everybody as Regina: Queen.
In 1381 she ordered the the reconstruction of the church of Sant Veronica in Milan.
The new chuch was dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, but everybody ended up calling it with the name of its founder - Santa Maria della Scala.
The church had ups and downs through the centuries and ended up in ruin.
In 1776, under the Austrian domination of Milan, Maria Theresa of Habsburg ordered its demolition to make space
for a new theatre that preserved in its name the memory of the old church - Scala Theatre.
A 1745 engraving of the old church.
Stewart and Jennifer from Operatif Music Lovers Tours had organised a great tour of the theatre including some of the back-stage areas.
The Royal Box
The clock above the stage ... 4:10pm ... althought it only changed every 5 minutes.
The view from a private box near the stage.
The view from the Royal Box.
Stewart's photo of Margaret sitting in the Royal Box.
