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International Art Treasures Web Magazine February 2005 |
La Scala Reopens!
Music to the ears is an apt description of the reopening of Milan's famed la Scala Opera House. The theater has been on the cutting edge of developments from its construction which began in 1776. HistoryEmpress Maria Theresa of Austria commissioned La Scala, realizing Milan needed a theatre after the Royal Ducal was burned to the ground in February of 1776. Italian architect, Giuseppe Piermarini, was commissioned to create the world famous Opera House. La Scala opened on August 3, 1778 with a performance of Salieri's L'Europa Riconoscitua, to a Verazi libretto. The Italian conductor, Arturo Toscanini, and Artistic Director, was responsible for the inclusion of Wagner's works in the theater's performances. In 1926 Toscanini was the conductor for the premiere performance of Turandot at La Scala. Imagine the first performance of Nessun Dorma, one of the most beloved Opera pieces, heavenly to hear while seated in La Scala. The theater was damaged during the Second World War and had to be closed from 1943 until 11 May 1946. It reopened with a Toscanini conducted concert. In 1990, realizing that La Scala did not meet necessary fire regulations, a reconstruction was requested by the theater's Superintendent. Additionally the theatre needed more storage space. The scenery tower, stage, and offices needed modernization. ArchitectureThe latest restoration began in July 2002 and was completed in 2004. Elisabetta Fabbri was in charge of the restoration of La Scala's monumental area.
Conservative Restoration
Renovations were necessary to improve acoustics, critical for any Opera House, especially necessary for La Scala and the talent that the theater hosts. Carpeting and linoleum were removed and 14 coats of plaster were stripped that had hidden the original Venetian marble of the theater. Using the space in a better functionality was necessary to allow the theater a greater number of performances and operas. Mario Botta designed an elliptical structure to be used for the dressing area and rehearsal halls.
La Scala's Stage Tower
The improved stage tower has a height of 17 stories and includes six rehearsal halls. The vertical alteration to the tower has a parallelepiped shape. Service Restorations
The service installations, done along Via Filodrammatici, replaced the prior roof additions to retain the original façade of La Scala. The courtyard behind Casino Ricordi was cleared. Replacing the numerous add-ons provided external aesthetics to the theatre with the use of a single structure. La Scala Sings Once More
The materials chosen for the roof include stone external cladding (Botticino classico), with a multitude of finishes. Horizontal striping was selected for the stage tower and vertical slating was utilized for the ellipsis that overlooks Via Filodrammatici. These two abstract external façades provide a pleasing contrast to the figurative aspects of the original opera house design.
Milan
The Palazzo del Duomo is the location of the third largest Cathedral in the world, Milan's Il Duomo. On a clear day walking up the 919 staircase takes the visitor to the roof and a spectacular view of the city. All three, La Scala, Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II and the Palazzo del Duomo are within walking distance of each other and all are resplendent with the art and history for which both Milan and Italy are renowned. |
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