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See an opera at La Scala, Milan

Culture & Tradition

See an opera at La Scala

Milan · Lombardy

QUICK INFORMATION

CATEGORY
Culture & Tradition
COUNTRY
Italy
REGION
Milan · Lombardy
DURATION
An evening, three to four hours for a full opera
DIFFICULTY
No effort beyond booking ahead; dress is smart.
BEST TIME
The opera season, December to July.

ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE

La Scala is the Teatro alla Scala, the opera house opened in 1778 on the site of the church of Santa Maria alla Scala, and the most famous opera house in the world. It premiered many of the operas of Verdi and Puccini, was conducted by Toscanini and sung by Callas, and remains the temple of Italian opera. The horseshoe auditorium is gilded and red, with four tiers of boxes and the gallery above; the acoustics are among the finest of any opera house. Attending a performance is the most Milanese cultural experience there is, and even a rehearsal or a museum visit gives a sense of the house’s weight.

WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE

What you’ll experience

More here soon — the road is still being mapped.

THE EXPERIENCE IN DETAIL

What it’s really like

More here soon — the road is still being mapped.

HIGHLIGHTS

Moments worth savouring

01

The auditorium — the gilded horseshoe of boxes and the gallery, one of the great opera house interiors.

02

The programme — the opera and ballet season runs from December to July, with the opening night on 7 December, the feast of Milan’s patron saint Ambrose.

03

The Museo Teatrale — the theatre museum, with costumes, set designs and busts of the great composers and singers.

04

The acoustics — the sound of a full orchestra and chorus in the auditorium, among the finest in the opera world.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Good to know before you go

More here soon — the road is still being mapped.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Before you go

Tickets
Book performances well ahead through the theatre box office or website; last-minute gallery (loggione) tickets are sold on the day, but queues are long.
Access
The entrance is on the Piazza della Scala, reached through the Galleria from the Duomo.
Best Time
The season runs December to July; the 7 December opening is the social event of the Milanese year.
Context
La Scala sits at the end of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, opposite the Duomo.

MAP & LOCATION

See an opera at La Scala

See an opera at La Scala, Milan, Lombardy, Italy

45.4673, 9.1896

Open in OpenStreetMap

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FOOD & DRINK

Where to eat nearby

01

Trattoria Milanese — a historic trattoria for the classic risotto alla Milanese and ossobuco, since 1933

02

Marchesi 1824 — one of Milan’s oldest pasticcerie, for breakfast pastries and coffee in the Brera quarter

03

Ristorante Cracco — Carlo Cracco’s celebrated modern Milanese restaurant in the Galleria, book well ahead

04

Luini — the famous panzerotto fry-shop near the Duomo, a Milanese street-food institution since 1888

05

Trattoria del Nuovo Macello — a buzzy modern trattoria near Porta Romana, honest cooking and a great wine list

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HOTELS & STAYS

Where to stay nearby

01

Bulgari Hotel Milano — a luxury hotel in a quiet quarter near La Scala, with a garden and a spa

02

Armani Hotel Milano — Giorgio Armani’s design hotel in the fashion quadrilateral, with a rooftop restaurant

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Hotel Spadari al Duomo — a design hotel a short walk from the Duomo, good value for a central base

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