Teatro alla Scala

Inaugurated on 3rd August 1778, the Teatro alla Scala is one the world’s leading opera and ballet houses. Over its long history, several legendary artists like Paganini, Giuseppe Verdi, Arturo Toscanini, and Puccini, have performed or debuted their works at the theater. The word ‘scala’ just means ‘staircase,’ and the theater is called “Teatro alla Scala” because it was built on the site of the church of Santa Maria della Scala – Holy Mary of the Staircase.

The theatre 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 loggionie is typically crowded with customers who can be merciless in their criticism of singers. In 2006, for example, tenor Roberto Alagna was booed off the stage during a performance of Verdi’s Aïda.

Activities

Exciting and memorable things to do

Best of Milan Walking Tour

Explore the best of Milan on this walking tour. Skip the line at the Santa Maria delle Grazie cathedral and view Leonarda da Vinci’s masterpiece, “The Last Supper.” Then explore the Teatro alla Scala, the Duomo di Milano, the Galleria Vittoria Emanuele II, the Castello Sforzesco, the Arco della Pace and the Parco Sempione. Finally, stroll through the fashion district, and check out other popular spots with the locals.