Until 2nd February 2002, spectacular and huge columns of light (60.810 cm of diameter, 6 km height) introduce the new theatre building along the road that leads to it, Viale dell' Innovazione. A trail of light celebrating the debut of the first opera, "La Traviata", the first Philharmonic concert and the first ballet. The five floodlights, which can be seen from all over Milan and are the result of an innovative technology which will soon also be used in New York,  are programmed to remain lit from the beginning till the end of the performances.

The new theatre was made in just 27 months by the Municipality of Milan in association with Pirelli & C. Real Estate, in the old Pirelli industrial district. The Bicocca Project - of which the Teatro degli Arcimboldi is part - is transforming it into a new, multiservice, and polyfunctional area. Albeit being in the outskirts of Milan, the Arcimboldi substitutes the Scala in every way, gathering its classical and lyric programmes, and not ruling out other forms of art and show.

The new theatre's internal and external spaces are accurate and elemental, modern, but not revolutionary: architect Gregotti himself, who has signed the project, defined the theatre " 'normal', between tradition and innovation". The sumptuousness the old Scala had us used to is remembered only by the curtain, brought here as a sign of continuity between old and new, waiting for a dazzling return to the heart of Milan.

Compared to Piermarini's building, the indoors represent a more democratic and communitarian space, equipped with greater capacity: around 2.400 places, distributed between two-level stalls and two circle degrees. The foyer is distinguished by a wide covering windowpane and balconies looking onto it. The "fan" hall,  measuring 49 m  maximum width, for 35 m depth, looks upon a proscenium maintaining the same size of the Scala (16 m per 12).

The Teatro degli Arcimboldi is linked to the centre and the north suburbs of Milan by a thick network of connections. A shuttle will be starting in Piazza Duomo (taxi stop area) every five 5 minutes, from 6.45 pm to 7.00 pm, with return at the end of the show (the service, free for season-ticket holders, can be used with normal ATM (Milan's public transportation) tickets. The journey also includes a stop at MM2 Gioia (Green line). Another shuttle departs for Bicocca from MM1 Precotto every 8/10 minutes. Finally, from Porta Garibaldi, Lambrate and Rogoredo, train stations there is a State Train (FFSS), that takes you to the Greco-Pirelli station (still with an ATM ticket). 20-40 minutes after the end of the show there will be extraordinary trains from the Greco-Pirelli station to Porta Garibaldi and Centrale Train Stations.

The ticket-office remains in the current office in via Filodrammatici until March 2002, and will later be moved to Piazza Duomo.

To find out more
Infotel Scala: 00 39 02 72003744

January.2002

Teatro alla Scala
Gregotti Associati International
Pirelli & C. Real Estate