|
 |
|
La Scala is one of the world's most famous opera houses.
(Agencies) |
Milan's world-famous opera house La Scala is re-opening on Tuesday
after a three-year closure for renovation.
A dress
rehearsal of the opening opera, Antonio Salieri's Europa
Riconosciuta, was held on Sunday for the staff and workers involved in the
restoration.
Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera hailed it as
"the real opening night" that took place amid "copious applause, ovations
[and] a party
atmosphere".
Europa Riconosciuta was the first opera staged at the original theatre
in 1778.
Riccardo Muti, La Scala's musical director and main conductor, said the
dress rehearsal was "an evening for those who work in the theatre, the
great Scala family which comes together on important occasions".
He recently said Salieri, who fell on hard times and was largely
forgotten after the original La Scala opening, should be regarded among
the musical giants of his day.
The opera has not been performed since its original run so La Scala had
to print the score for Europa Riconosciuta from scratch, working from the
original manuscripts in its library.
The renovation work, carried out amid criticism
and fear the theatre would be ruined, was done to improve the theatre's
acoustics
and ability
to stage productions.
The stage was entirely re-constructed, making it possible, in theory,
to stage three different operas on the same day.
The heavy red carpets in the hall were also removed, reportedly
improving the theatre's sound.
Another modernising touch was the fitting of electronic displays behind
each seat to allow the audience to follow the libretto in several
languages.
This is not the first re-opening of La Scala. The theatre was destroyed
by a bomb during World War II.
It was rebuilt in record time and re-opened in 1946 with a concert
conducted by the legendary Arturo Toscanini.
Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is expected to attend
Tuesday's re-opening alongside celebrities such as film legend Sofia Loren
and Giorgio Armani, one of Milan's top fashion designers.
(Agencies) | 
Updated: 2004-12-08 10:52