REHEARSAL CONCERTS AT LA SCALA
2014 January 26 Myung-Whun Chung
2014 February 16 Daniel Marenboim
2014 March 30 David Afkham
After the success of the last editions, the appointment with the cycle “La Filarmonica Della Scala incontra la città” (La Scala Philharmonic meets the city) returns to Milan. This is a unique opportunity to attend the rehearsals of the four concerts on the 2014 agenda of the Orchestra at the Teatro Alla Scala, and at the same time, it is a beautiful occasion as the ticket revenues will support some non-profit associations in the area of Milan.
The program starts on January 12th with conductor Daniel Harding and music by Montalbetti and Shubert. On January 26th music from Beethoven, and Brahms will be conducted by Myung-Whun Chung; on February 16th conductor Daniel Marenboim will conduct a program not yet disclosed, and finally on March 30th, Rudolf Buchbinder’s music will be played with conductor David Afkham.
Mr. Marenboim was named Maestro Scaligero, or de facto principal guest conductor of the company in 2006 – after the Italian Riccardo Muti – and in October 2011 Barenboim was appointed the next music director of La Scala.
Conductors are given control of casting and rehearsals. Toscanini, for example, was the Scala’s artistic director from 1898 to 1908 and marked one of the finest periods of this theatre. After the building was severely damaged by the 1943 bombing it was rebuilt and reopened in 1946, with a concert conducted by him and an associate of the composers Giuseppe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini. Very few know that La Scala hosted the prima (first production) of many famous operas, however, Verdi did not allow his work to be played here, stating that some of the music of his Giovanna D’Arco had been modified (he actually used the word “corrupted”) by the orchestra. However, several years later – exactly in 1874 – the composer conducted his Requiem here, and in 1886 he announced that La Scala would host the premiere of his penultimate opera, Otello. The premiere of his last opera, Falstaff took place in this theatre too.
La Scala theater, which is associated with a ballet company, a ballet school, and a singing school as well, hosts a museum within the building, featuring many historical musical instruments, photos, and artifacts. A guide will give you comprehensive coverage of the history of the theater and the artists that made it one of the most renowned opera houses in the world.
If you happen to visit Milan early next year don’t miss an opportunity to listen to one of these and many other concertos played in this magnificent building. Whether you are a classical music and opera lover or not, we are certain you will thoroughly enjoy the experience.
by Nicoletta Paganucci
Click here for the full La Scala schedule & tickets
