Founded by Empress Maria Theresa of Austria in 1778, Italy's best-loved opera house is also one of the most famous in the world. It is a neoclassical dream, all kitted out with sumptuous red seats and boxes adorned with gilt; the chandeliers drip crystal the way that the Milanese audiences drip gold and diamonds. As well as world-class opera performances from the ouvres of Verdi, Strauss, and Mozart, the repertoire encompasses ballet, symphony, and chamber orchestra concerts, and recitals by the likes of Welsh baritone Bryn Terfel, in around 15 productions per year under the direction of conductor Riccardo Chailly. On Sundays there are family concerts, with cultural events and workshops taking place all through the season, which opens with great pomp and ceremony on Dec. 7, which is the feast day of Sant'Ambrogio, the city's patron saint. Even though La Scala seats around 3,000 people in its six tiers of seating and boxes, tickets for one of the theater's sublime operas are as rare as hens' teeth, so reserve tickets months in advance.
Book online, pay by credit card on [tel] 02-861-778, or go to La Scala's booking office in the Galleria del Sagrato, Piazza del Duomo, open daily noon–6pm (closed Aug). The ticket office at the opera house (Via Filodrammatici, 2) releases 140 last-minute tickets for that evening's performance 2.5 hours before the curtain goes up; expect long lines so get there early.
Milan
Travel Guide
Milan› Nightlife
Teatro alla Scala
Piazza della Scala
Our Rating
Neighborhood
Centro Storico
Hours
Performances at 6pm or 8pm
Transportation
Metro: Duomo
Phone
02-7200-3744
Prices
Tickets €13–€2,000
Web site
Teatro alla Scala
Map
Piazza della Scala MilanNote: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.