2010

Has anyone gone on a tailor-made guided tour of La Scala? According to the website, it provides a behind-the-scenes experience. This sounds like something my husband & I would enjoy very much.

I have sent an email to inquire about the tours offered, cost & availability for our date(s). But I have yet received a reply. Any suggestions or information would be appreciated.

Thank you.

http://www.teatroallascala.org/en/yo.../tourists.html

vincenzo32951

We took a tour some years ago. It was interesting. As I remember, the guide was heavy on Toscanini's influence on La Scala. But the tour may have changed by now, and it probably varies according to the guide.

2010

Vincenzo: Thank you for your reply. By chance, do you recall how you booked the tour; whether you made arrangements in advance or waited until you were in Milan; and the approximate cost of the tour?

If I don't get a response from my email inquiry, I wonder if a phone call would be in order. Or should I go through my hotel to ask for assistance?

Southam

A couple of summers ago, I visited one balcony section on my own, plus the little museum. It was necessary to check on the opening time since a show was being mounted for that evening and the house lights were only on at certain brief periods. There was a small fee, if memory serves. The insights of a guide can help anywhere, but there was enough material to read to get a sense of the place. I suspect the music museum would interest mostly opera buffs.

Dukey1

Have only viewed it from the audience and during a performance but I hope you are successful in doing the backstage thing. I'm certain it would be worthwhile.

2010

Southam: We are trying to avoid having to book into a group tour of the museum which includes a look into the auditorium from a box. That's great you were able to do both on your own.

Dukey1: We hoped there would be a classical concert at La Scala during our stay in Milan. I really wanted to experience a performance in this historic theatre. But there isn't one. So, wanting more than just a quick glimpse of the auditorium, I was excited by the possibility of a behind-the-scenes guided tour. (Years ago, we went on a backstage tour of Radio City Music Hall in NYC and found it to be fascinating.) We will be there in September. So, we still have some time to work this out.

Waldo

This post reminds me of a story, not about a tour of La Scala, but of a tour of San Carlo in Naples. I don't want to belabor the topic, but if you want to read about it, I will reply with the story.

2010

Sure, Waldo. I enjoy a good story.

vincenzo32951

2010: I think we booked it through a local travel agent, but I'm sure your hotel could provide some assistance with that. Ours was a group tour. Can't remember the cost.

Waldo

I visited Naples every year from 1987 through 2010. My wife and I stayed for as long as we wanted to. Her whole family lives there. They are all Italian, but she was born in the US, and came to live in America all by herself. Her parents had friends in the US, so she lived with them for a while. In any event, here's the story.
Every morning while we were in Naples, I took a long walk around the city. On one of my walks, I went into the San Carlo Opera House. They were rehearsing for the opera Turando, featuring Luciano Pavarotti. When I entered the lobby and looked around, a security guard asked what I was doing. (I speak fluent Italian, so everything was said in Italian). I told him I would like to see the interior, because I heard so much about its beauty. He said I couldn't go in, but to come back tomorrow with the tour. Just then, a gent walked over and asked what was going on. I told the man that I couldn't come back tomorrow (not so, but I said it anyway), because I was going home tomorrow. He asked where I was from, and I replied from Brooklyn, NY. He then said that he had just gotten back from Brooklyn, visiting relatives. He asked if I knew Via Diciotto. I blurted out in English EIGHTEENTHED AVENUE! That really stunned him, hearing my Brooklyn accent. Well that opened the flood gates. We talked about the neighborhood in Brooklyn, his relatives, which I didn't know, and all the landmarks. He felt great. He also turned out to be the manager or something, of the opera house. After our conversation, he told the guard that we were old friends, and to give me a private tour of the place. I saw the complete house, and watched the rehearsal, although Pavarotti was not there, a stand in was in his place. I saw the opera and had the tour besides. A great story.

2010

A charming story, Waldo! Several years ago, I took an Italian class. So, I do understand why your response to 'Via Diciotto' would have surprised the gentleman. It is a serendipitous encounter like this that can make travel a special & memorable experience. Thanks for sharing your story!

2010

Vincenzo: I think it is worth asking our hotel to make an inquiry about this tour for us. Thanks for the suggestion.