Officially it is justified by a form of return to the sources

UNA macchia è which tuttora... Via, ti dico, o maledetta! "Who knows if the ghost of the Callas, including the famous interpretation of"Lady macbeth", in 1953, remains etched in the memories of the Milanese public, will continue to haunt the Scala Probable. Because even transformed and enhanced by the Swiss architect Mario Botta, worthy pupil of Le Corbusier (1), la Scala is the Scala. Better, after three years of work motivated by security concerns, the impeccable restoration of any part reserved for the public (Orchestra, galleries and homes) he gives a form of dignity. More authentic than the "pastiche" brand-new of the Fenice in Venice ("Les Echos weekend" from November 12). Miracle in Italian, despite the great metamorphosis of the building neoclassical of Giuseppe Piermarini, cut in two by the reconstruction of the stage machinery, the Teatro alla Scala has kept its atmosphere of "temple of operatic" dear to Stendhal.

Everything is ready, or nearly, for the evening of December 7 inauguration. There is more than the response of Tom Cruise, Queen Elisabeth II having declined the invitation. "Excellent acoustics", already ruled the maestro Riccardo Muti, who took over the estate of Claudio Abbado to Music Director since 1986. 2.000 Euros instead of Orchestra for the first of the "Europa Riconosciuta" the little-known work by Antonio Salieri is that which was performed for the inauguration of the theatre, on 3 August 1778 , cannot expect less. Under the direction of the expert in acoustics of the Liceu in Barcelona, Higini Arau, old carpet that covered the ruins of the great bombing of 1943 was replaced by a "floating floor" oak on various layers of different materials. In addition, new stage machinery of the Scala will accelerate the rate of rotation of the shows 30 increase in the supply of representations.

The poisoner of Mozart

"The world has become smaller and more competitive," sighs the Neapolitan Riccardo Muti, la Scala is one of the best-known Italian emblems in the world with the Ferrari. From 80 to 118 representations, he hopes to restore impetus at the Milan Opera strengthening the co-productions with Paris, Vienna and Covent Garden. Provided overcome difficult financial equations of la Scala (budget EUR 93 million) which are largely based on the generosity of its private sponsors. "December 7, is not a false opening," provides the Superintendent of the theatre, Carlo Fontana. But, after eleven performances of "Recognized Europe", staged by Luca Ronconi, on a design of Pier Luigi Pizzi, and the Gala of the stars of the 30 and 31 December with Sylvie Guillem, it wasn't until June 13, 2005 to attend the first opera of the season, "La Bohème", directed by Franco Zeffirelli. "Roder scenic machinery", says Carlo Fontana, highlighting that la Scala will work "to full" next June.

For the opening night, Riccardo Muti sought to reconnect with the binomial Ronconi-Pizzi, to the side of which he had already directed the "Orpheus and Euridice" Gluck in the 1970s. The choice of the "Europa Riconosciuta", Opera by Antonio Salieri ever played since the August 3, 1778, may come as a surprise. Officially, it is justified by a form of return to the sources. But Riccardo Muti also wants to do justice to this poorly loved composer, arch-rival, "putative poisoner" Mozart. Depicted in an unflattering light by the "Amadeus" for Milos Forman, the Viennese Court Chapel master was hiding in the lodges of the theatres to tears of happiness by listening to the works of Mozart. But for Riccardo Muti, "the directory of Salieri has nothing to envy to that of Mozart". And it scans for a back of hand "legend" of the poisoning, accredited by Pushkin in his tragedy "Mozart and Salieri" (1832).

"I call the Scala first theatre of the world, because it is those who have the most fun music", wrote Stendhal, in 1816, after having reserved a "housed at the third" for a sequin evening. Who knows if Veronica Lario, wife of Berlusconi, who is rumored that she has already chosen a dress Yves Saint Laurent for the first, find this emotion...