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The opening night of the La Scala season has
become a highlight of the calendar for the country's business
and political elite, coinciding with the city's Feast of St.
Ambrose holiday.
However, the staging of Russian work "Boris Godunov" on the
opening night last December prompted protesters against the
Ukrainian war to demonstrate outside the venue.
Verdi's works have been performed at La Scala since 1839 and the
choice of a historical work by a local favourite is likely to
prove less contentious on Dec. 7.
Like other businesses, the opera house is struggling with
sky-high energy bills after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
La Scala last year mitigated the impact by cutting consumption
of gas and electricity by 22% and around 15% respectively, its
artistic director Dominque Meyer said on Monday.
The theatre has also switched to digital musical scores to
reduce paper waste, installed more efficient LED-lights and will
replace its windows this autumn to cut draughts.
Last year's revenues from single shows were 25% higher compared
with 2019 figures, Meyer said, adding international tourists
represent 30% of the theatre's audience.
Topic tickets cost 250 euros ($275).
In its new season, La Scala will host 14 operas, seven ballets,
as well as concerts featuring Italian conductor Riccardo Muti,
Briton Daniel Harding and Russian-born Kirill Petrenko. ($1 =
0.9084 euros)
(Reporting by Sara Rossi; Editing by Keith Weir)
(Photo: Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
stands next to La Scala Artistic Director Dominique Meyer as she
attends La Scala's opening of its 2022-23 season with a
performance of "Boris Godunov," a Russian-composed opera
performed by Russian artists, in Milan, Italy, December 7, 2022.
REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo/File Photo)
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