Milan's renowned La Scala opera theatre reopens to the public tonight after nearly three years of renovation that cost an estimated €50 million.
Antonio Salieri's long-forgotten "Europa Riconosciuta," which inaugurated the first opening night at La Scala in 1778, was selected for tonight's gala performance.
"We achieved some sort of miracle by finishing work within the deadline. It's something that all Milanese must be proud of," said Deputy Mayor Riccardo De Corato said.
La Scala performances were held in Milan's modern Arcimboldi theater after the renovation began in 2002.
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi is expected to host several European leaders in the royal box for the gala evening, including Switzerland's President Joseph Diess, and the prime ministers of Croatia, Bulgaria, and Albania.
About 1,000 seats, nearly half of those available, were by invitation while the remaining tickets were quickly sold out at prices ranging between €200 and €2,000.
Maestro Riccardo Muti has expressed enthusiasm about the new acoustics following a rehearsal Sunday for theater workers. He has called on sopranos Diana Damrau and Desiree Rancatore to sing the lead roles for the opera in two acts based on Greek mythology.
The theatre's new look includes red velvet for seats and curtains, silk tapestry for the walls, and screens on each seat to follow the libretto in English, French or Italian. A new tower stores sets and modernised scene machinery, allowing La Scala to increase the number of its productions.
AP