In this article, I present you the guided tour proposed by La Scala of Milan, that I highly recommend you if you intend to discover this mythical Theatre during your stay!
SUMMARY
Practical information about the guided tour
The course of the guided tour of the Theatre
Self-guided tour of the Theatre Museum
1. Practical information about the guided tour
Exterior view of the building housing La Scala
First of all, you should know that the guided tours at La Scala are given directly by expert guides, in three languages: in French, at 10:30 am or 1 pm, in Italian at 1 pm and in English at 4 pm. The Museum is open every day from Monday to Sunday, from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm (last entrance at 5 pm). The museum is closed on the following days: December 7, 25 and 26; January 1; Easter Sunday; May 1 and August 15.
The guided tours last about an hour (in our case, it lasted almost twice as long with a funny and exciting French guide, it was great!) Besides, they cost 25 euros / person (with a small commission for buying the tickets online), but this price is really worth it!
Indeed, if you buy a "classic" ticket at 12 euros / person with the entrance to the Museum, you will only be able to have a look inside the Theatre from the boxes on the third floor, only when there is no show or event open to the public, and you will not be able to discover the Theatre in detail, as it is the case with a guided tour, which is a great pity.
To book a guided tour, go directly to the official website of La Scala!
2. The course of the guided tour of the Theatre
Arturo Toscanini Hall
If you choose, as we did, the guided tour, you must go to the entrance of the Museum of the Theatre when you arrive, and then you will be directed to the Arturo Toscanini Hall (the latter was an Italian conductor of the end of the 19th century - first half of the 20th century). The visit starts in the latter.
Royal Box with, on the third picture, the screens where the lyrics of the opera scroll (available in several languages)
Then you will have access to the prestigious Royal Box (also called Central Box), whose seats are never sold to the public, but are only accessible to prestigious guests, such as the President of the Italian Republic, the President of the Italian Council, the Mayor of Milan, etc.
From the Royal Box, you will have the best view of the sloping stage, as well as of this magnificent Italian-style theater, which is shaped like a horseshoe, with boxes all around, except on the last two floors, a dome, a chandelier and specific machinery to handle the scenery.
Then, you will see the historical boxes, that is to say boxes where you can still see remnants of decoration from the time when the boxes belonged to the owners, who could therefore personalize them to their taste. You will also discover that some of the seats sold in the boxes are scandalous because you can end up on a stool in the background, and therefore, not see anything of the stage at all!
A small aside concerning the performances, especially of operas and not ballets, which can apparently be, let's say, very lively, with the most purist spectators not hesitating to boo, to insult, the artists who displease them at each act (fortunately, without ever interrupting them)!
Finally, if the Theatre's activity allows it, you can go under the stage to discover its impressive mechanism!
3. Self-guided tour of the Theatre Museum
When the guided tour of the Theatre ends, you can then discover for yourself the Theatre Museum containing numerous instruments, costumes, busts, etc.
See you soon for more articles dedicated to Milan and Rome!
=> I hope that this article has helped you in the preparation of your stay in Milan and, if you have any questions or comments, don't hesitate, I'll be happy to get back to you!
Don't hesitate to check out my other articles on Milan dedicated to tips on how to successfully see Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper at the last minute, but also to five unusual places to discover in this city and, finally, to three gourmet addresses in Milan!