Out & About

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

The New York Sun

The Milanese came to town last night to promote their historic opera house La Scala, which will reopen December 7 following a $74 million renovation.


The opera house has a “vertical scene changer” that makes it the most modern opera house in Europe, according to its builders, who spoke at the Guggenheim.


It also has more seats, allowing more people to see the splendor of its restored interiors: gold ornamentation, marble pillars, and a particular favorite for architect Elisabetta Fabbri, boxes with their original fixtures uncovered, such as fireplaces and kitchens (installed by the families that owned them).


Milan is proud that it came up with the funds for the project from its own coffers, and that it completed the project on schedule


The deputy mayor of the city, Senator Riccardo De Corato, said, “Milan has paid for everything by itself in its history.” He noted that the recent privatization of a number of previously state-run enterprises helped generate the funds, and that Milan is the most economically powerful city in the region.


Government support of culture in Italy is seen as a serious investment, because cultural tourism is such an important part of the economy, noted Italian journalist G. Raffaello Gherardini.


Yet even in this environment, Milan is interested in attracting private support – a new idea in Europe. For the renovation of La Scala, 5% of the funding came from private sources.


Those contributions came about in part because in 1997, the government transformed La Scala into a private foundation. “It was very complicated to get approved; we are now trying to transfer into foundations all the museums of Milan,” said its commissioner of culture, Salvatore Carruba.


And how about a group based in America, where patrons could receive tax deductions on their donations?


No such group is currently active, said Mr. Corato, but he and Mr. Carruba welcomed the idea. “Of course!” “Call it, For the Grand La Scala!”


Americans, and particularly New Yorkers enamored of the continent, are prone to show their love with dollars. And there are plenty of them who love La Scala.


“It’s fantastic; it’s the most saintly opera house in the world; nobody speaks during performances,” said Diane Ackerman.


“Americans who have a love of opera have a special feeling for La Scala,” noted Carnegie Hall’s senior director, Jay Golan.


Groups such as Save Venice and Friends of Florence provide models for La Scala.


Friends of Florence has put forward $3 million for restoration projects since it was formed five years ago. Currently, it is working to rehab the Niobe Room at the Uffizi museum.


Its chairman, Simonetta Brandolini, is an American living in Florence and its board members include designer Elissa Cullman.


Lauren Davis, who first visited Venice when she a student at The American School in Switzerland in Lugano, has been active with Save Venice for six years. The organization was founded in 1967 and has completed dozens of projects.


“I am looking forward to seeing the newly restored ceiling of the Fenice Theatre,” she noted, referring to Venice’s opera house.


Perhaps she can pay a visit to the newly restored La Scala as well.


The New York Sun

© 2025 The New York Sun Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material on this site is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

The New York Sun

Sign in or  Create a free account

or
By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use