La Scala, in full Teatro alla Scala (Italian: “Theatre at the Stairway”), theatre in Milan, one of the principal opera houses of the world and the leading Italian house.
Built in 1776–78 by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria (whose
country then ruled Milan), it replaced an earlier theatre that had
burned. In 1872 it became the property of the city of Milan. The house
was closed during World War I. In 1920 the conductor Arturo Toscanini led a council that raised money to reopen it, organizing it as an autonomous corporation. Bombed during World War II,
the theatre reopened in 1946, partly through funds raised by benefit
concerts given by Toscanini. In late 2001 La Scala closed for extensive
renovations. Mario Botta served as the architect of the project,
estimated to have cost some $67 million, and the theatre reopened in
December 2004 with a performance of Antonio Salieri’s Europa riconosciuta, which had been performed at La Scala’s opening on August 3, 1778.
La Scala’s repertory is more varied than that of the other four or
five leading opera houses. It tends to include a large number of
unfamiliar works balanced by a limited number of popular favourites.
Conductors are given control of casting and rehearsals. The composer Giuseppe Verdi
was closely associated with the house during the 19th century.
Toscanini’s tenure as artistic director marked one of the finest periods
in the theatre’s existence.
Associated with the theatre are a ballet company, a ballet school,
and a singing school. The expenses of La Scala are met by a combination
of ticket sales, a municipal tax, and an Italian governmental subsidy.
Article Source : http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/326535/La-Scala
Milan is one famous place in Italy. I was there last year and still remember this place. You must go there if you are planning to visit Italy.
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