La Scalla

Last night I went to La Scalla, the world's most famous opera house. I had an excellent view of the stage from a seat in the center back of the theater. Just being at La Scalla was an event but seeing Don Pasquale performed made it even better. What do I know about opera is not much but I loved every minute of it. I arrived to the theater late which honestly was probably a good thing. I prepared myself for the experience months ago by listening to the opera several times to get familiar with the story and the music. The first part of the opera is not my favorite and I only missed about ten minutes. I was led in to the back of the theater on the upper most floor and told I could watch standing until the end of the first act. Even at this height, five balconies high and the very furthest from the stage I could hear everything crystal clear. The power of the voices on stage was unbelievable, they were definitely singing with their outdoor voices.

After the first act I walked around for some people watching. This was an evening out the way it should be. Everyone dressed to the nines for an extravagant evening. Men in suits women in the what I assumed were latest fashions since this is Milano made this feel like you were in a special place. While it is important to bring your children out for a cultural experience it was really nice to see that this was an adult night out. The price of tickets even in the very back prevent most people from even thinking about having the kids tag along. The matinee is a good time for that. I believe the busts of Puccini and Verdi appreciated this too. I bet they also appreciated what must be the latest in dress length for young women with long legs. The entire thigh is exposed with only the essentials being covered. This made walking up the stairs an additional scene for the evening and another reason to leave the children at home.

The lights dimmed momentarily signaling the end of the intermission and it was time to find my seat. I went to sit down in the top center balcony and was proud of myself for getting such a great seat. While I was admiring the view a woman sat next to me and said that I was in her husband's seat. I showed her my ticket to prove I was in the right spot and she said no you are in the level below, it was even better. When this theater was built people must have been much smaller though because I was squished between a thin man and a post. Had he or I been any bigger it would have been too much.

This was a great evening out. I only wish I had someone to share it with. Tomorrow Jackie arrives in Milan.