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If you only go to one Opera house in your life, make it La Scala. Since 1778,
in various guises, this has been the place to see opera in the world. It was
here that Rossini made his name, where Verdi premiered most of his works and
Puccini's Madame Butterfly had its first airing.
The seats are of red velvet, the finishings encrusted with gold and the people
in the stalls with jewels. The tiers of boxes and a huge chandelier add to the
rich atmosphere, as do the gorgeous acoustics. The audience here are knowledgeable
- they jeer what they detest but when they hear something they adore, you will
know it. This is a sensory experience not to miss, take a like-minded friend,
and sing the arias for years. |
