Milan’s
Gem: La Scala Then and Now
December 7th is an important
day for Milan. It is a public holiday in the city, in the name of their patron
saint Ambrogio, who died in 397. Since then, the people of Milan
have organized
all sorts of festivities to commemorate his contributions to the city’s history
and culture. One of the most celebrated events on this day is the opening of the
opera season at the magnificent theater, La Scala.
While most people recognize the name, many may be unaware of
the history behind this world-renowned palace of art. We can start with the
name itself.
“La Scala”
literally means the ladder, which is part of the family crest of Regina della
Scala, wife of Bernabň Visconti, duke of Milan from 1349 to 1385. She herself
was an important figure, improving
the city and also building a church, Santa Maria alla Scala.
Centuries later, Milan’s primary theater house, the “Teatro Regio Ducale,”
burned down after a gala. With Milan in need of another art arena, empress Maria
Theresa of Austria quickly took it upon herself to demolish the church built by
Regina della Scala in order to replace it with
a new hall, paid for by the
Ducale’s affluent box holders. The new theater would be called La Scala
after the church.
In its original state, the interior of the theater
was very different from what it looks like today.
The main floor had no chairs, and was a place where visitors danced and
socialized. There was no orchestra pit, and so the orchestra played in full
view. For
less wealthy spectators,
the theater had a gallery above the boxes,
where all sorts of trade was conducted, such as
horse-dealing and gambling. Gambling salons were a lucrative and common
fixture of the 18th century opera house and provided entertainment
for the nobility and their guests during intervals. The theater also had foyers
and pantries where servants prepared meals and drinks for the wealthy box
holders. La Scala was initially
lit
with
over a thousand oil lamps,
whose light was
reflected by
a metal plate that illuminated the stage.
Due to the constant
fire hazard posed by
these lamps, several rooms were filled with hundreds of buckets
ready-filled with water.
Eventually, the oil lamps were replaced
with
gas lamps until the theater finally received electricity in 1883.
At the turn of the century, La Scala underwent a cultural and structural renovation, which brought it closer to today’s concept of the opera house. In 1907, 2,800 chairs were placed on the main floor, while the gallery became the favorite haunt of enthusiastic opera aficionados who cheered or booed the singers on stage, something that still occurs today. Unfortunately, soon after completion, the theater was extensively damaged during World War II, with bombs destroying the roof and damaging the interior walls. More refurbishment work was necessary. During this second major restoration, an enormous blown glass chandelier was installed, with 365 lamps, one for each day of the year. The chandelier is so large that a man can actually stand on top of it while operating the spotlights for the stage.
The most recent alterations to the theater were made in 2001, updating its look and above all its functionality. With the help of renowned architect Mario Botta, the stage and the back of the house underwent dramatic remodeling, being enlarged in order to accommodate more extensive sets. Critics of Botta’s architecture feared that the changes would destroy the historic value of the 18th century theater.
Today, the theater is a vital institution in Milan’s cultural activities, staging productions for the community with support from the municipality. In order to ensure a constant supply of new talent, La Scala runs an Academy for the operatic arts, comprising four branches: music, ballet, stage craft, and stage management. Students can enter as beginners and are taught by masters in their respective fields. At the end of the academic year, they stage a final opera performance. Some of the most important dancers from around the world graduated from this Academy, including current renowned ballet dancers Roberto Bolle and Massimo Murru.
This year, La Scala’s grand opening will be Georges Bizet’s Carmen. In preparation for the event, Milan is buzzing with activity and anticipation. Ladies frequent the Quadrilatero d’Oro buying new dresses, furs and jewelry for the celebrated night, while the municipality invites presidents and important political figures from around the world to attend the event. The opening night at La Scala will be a sight that will bedazzle the senses, with the Milanese dressed in the sort of glitz and glam that one would expect from a fashion capital.
For more information please visit La Scala’s official website
www.teatroallascala.org or the Academy
website
at:
www.accademialascala.it.
Liza Giambra and Sharon Yi