I plan to go to La Scala early next year. However, I may have a little problem. The performance I want to see is the premier for Macbeth on April 1, 2008. According to Rick Steves' Italy 2007, a suit and tie are required for opening nights. Just to clarify, is opening night the first night of the opera season? Or is it the premier of each opera performed at La Scala?

hi, Brian,

looks like april 1st is the first night of Macbeth for the 2007-8 season. Not sure of this counts as a premier. However, I wouldn't get too hung up about dress - anything seems to go nowadays, even at la scala or covent garden. oh for the old days of top hat, white tie, and tails!

I'd have said that you could easily get away with smart trousers and shirt - or if you wanted to make a statement, nice jacket with shirt and bow tie.

regards, ann

My problem this that I don't want to carry my good clothes around Italy for three weeks (My trip is from March 10 to April 2. The performance is on April 1.). I don't intend to go to any fancy places that will require nice clothes prior to Milan. The one thing I don't want to do is purchase an opera ticket in January 2008, take only Docker pants, a Polo shirt, and a windbreaker to the opera, and someone at the front door saying I can't go in because I don't have the appropriate attire. If I "have to" wear nice clothes to the premier, I probably won't go to the performance. Thoughts?

The premiere is the first night of each opera. But you don't have to wear "nice" clothes, not even a suit..a jacket and a tie is enough, according to the scala website.
Anyway..if you go only with a polo shirt and a windbreaker in Milan in January...you are going to freeze

hi, kenderina

I'm sure you're right, but where did you find that info on the web-site - I looked and couldn't find anything about a dress code.

regards, ann

Just to clarify, I will buy my ticket in January 2008 for a performance in April 2008.

I read it here, Ann :
http://tinyurl.com/2grc5g

It's the italian version of the site, I haven't checked the english one, I don't know if they are any different.

hi, Brian,

I jsut went onto the la scala web-site, and finally found the dress-code advice in english. It reads

" for premiers, gentlemen are requested to wear evening dress and in any vent a jacket and tie are mandatory. in the event that dress is inappropriate, admittance may be denied"
[or words to that effect].

so you might want to dust off that DJ after all!

regards, ann