Teatro alla Scala

This is one of the quintessential opera houses of Europe, a place where the world's best singers have dreamt of singing since 1778! The museum houses all sorts of memorabilia related to the rich history of this beautiful venue. But the best moment of the tour, at least for us, is stepping into one of the boxes overlooking this majestic interior and imagining watching the debut of legends like Paganini or Verdi or Mozart with a packed house of thousands. The only thing better than the tour is actually attending a concert live!

Wonderful visit to the stunning Teatro alla Scala. Lucky enough to be there during a rehearsal. Imagined attending the opera dressed to the nines. Even if you're not an opera buff, plenty to see within its hallowed halls.


47

Most magnificent opera house in world. Went to museum which allow you to see opera house from private boxes overlooking stage and orchestra seats. A must to do in Milano.

What a gift it is to be able to visit and experience this legendary opera house. Unfortunately there were no operas scheduled at the time of my visit, but fortunately the was a visiting German orchestra. I was fortunate that a box was available on the second level and entirely my own. I look forward to returning and seeing an opera here.

Great performance. Almost ruined by impossibly uncomfortable seat, actually a bench, and the stifling heat of six people crammed in a box that should only sit four. Not helped by lack of elevator and outdated facilities. P.s. if you plan on a taxi after, have an app on your phone or face a half hour wait at the taxi stand. I would definitely recommend floor seats over the wretched boxes.

Theater of Scala is one of the most significant opera house of the world. The acoustics of the theater is one of the best. This theater has the biggest stage in the Italy. The theater is beautiful with the box seat and floor seat. In the old time, there is only the box seat for the wealthy. The remaining spectators are attending by standing straight up on the floor.

What make it beautiful is the straight up six tier of box seat. Unfortunately the day we visited they have production practices. The light is off. But you still can see the beauty of the theater. This theater was destroyed by fire, bomb on world war and both time was rebuilt.

The up stairs has the museum and reception hall. The music play here includes a lot of Mozart, Verdi and Puccini pieces. In the museum you see the famous opera singer, composer, conductor, and performer painting.

SCAM ALERT. We were sold tickets by the box office and were not told that we could not see the stage from the box. We asked for a refund or a different seat before the performance started and were refused. Watch out.

A must see for any opera fan.
Unfortunately, the theater was dark this day, although rehearsals were in progress.
Nonetheless, my tour companion & I easily purchased visitor tickets (9 Euro each). I was happy to pay the fee and at least step into one the world's most prestigious theater.
There was a tribute to Rossini, so several costumes and instruments, props, playbills were on display, and a room playing past performances by famous divas: almost all American too (Sutherland, Sills, Pryce) and Maria Callas.
There was an end of rehearsal takedown of set and orchestra - which I also found interesting. (see short video clip uploaded).
The red velvet seats and ornate boxes are not just historic, they are also beatuful.

How do you rate a place with such an antiquated and f'ed-up ticketing system, but with such amazing performances. I guess I'm my case, right in the middle: 3.

Buying tickets online is a freaking mess. Just the worst on any computer and even with tons of advance planning. Then there are the prices: locals grab all the cheap seats, so an opera ends up with only a bunch of 270€ tickets. Insane.

But I happened to be in the area at 6pm and was in the bookstore when I overheard the clerk mention the same day ticket window around back. Say what?! I'd just called the box office an hour before and they said to come ONE hour before, but didn't tell me about this secret box office. And also it's TWO hours. Jackass.

So that night one of the best violinists on earth (Sophie Mutter) was doing a Brahms performance (shorter than an opera), and though it was "sold out" online (more jackassery), the 20 people in line in front of me, and me, seemed to have no problem getting tickets. The guy ahead of me said in English "2 cheap seats", and seemed to know the agent, so I followed suit and asked for 4 of the same. I got 4 in the worst row, but for 6.50€ each I was not complaining!! Acoustics are fantastic even way up there, and it's seeing the inside that it's all about.

Our tour ended in the Leonardo Da Vinci square across the street from La Scala. I'd recognize that house anywhere but more from looking at the inside.

Unfortunately, it was the end of the day and we couldn't go inside because we had to walk back to the car and get to dinner.

Being outside La Scala was a treat for me. I have seen a number of operas broadcast from this famous house and I could envision the interior.