Famed La Scala Opera House Reopening After Renovation
A three-year renovation improves acoustics, stage accessibility, and audience understanding
After an extensive three-year renovation, the famed La Scala Opera House in Milan will be re-opening Tuesday. The controversial renovation, which some feared would ruin the opera house, was done to improve acoustics, make the stage more accessible for sets and install small screens on the back of each seat so the audience could view the libretto in many languages. The opening performance will be Antonio Salieri's Europa Riconosciuta, which was originally performed at the opera house in 1778. La Scala was destroyed during WWII but was quickly re-opened in 1946. Italy's Prime Minister as well as celebrities including Sophia Loren and Georgio Armani are expected to attend.