La Scala reopens after three years

La Scala, Milan, one of the world’s most celebrated opera theatres, reopened to rousing applause from its demanding public yesterday after nearly three years of renovation.

A sold-out audience granted maestro Riccardo Muti and the singers 12 minutes of convincing applause and 15 curtain calls.

Director Luca Ronconi and dozens of company members joined Muti on the stage at the end of the triumphant opening night.

“We achieved some sort of miracle by finishing work within the deadline. It’s something that all Milanese must be proud of,” Milan Deputy Mayor Riccardo De Corato said as the city celebrated the return of the Milan company to the theatre.

While Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, foreign dignitaries and Italy’s fashion and entertainment glitterati watched the opera from their red velvet seats in the theatre, other opera lovers watched the performance live on large video screens around town – and inside the city’s San Vittore prison.

For the gala performance, Muti chose the same work that inaugurated the first La Scala opening night in 1778 – Antonio Salieri’s “Europa Riconosciuta”.