This post features the La Scala Opera House stamps of 1978. Opera houses are often state funded buildings. As a result, they can be seen on many postage stamps from around the world. For example, on this blog you can read about the State Opera House of Vienna, the Khedevial in Egypt, and the Kirov in St. Petersburg, among others. You can see more opera stamps on this site.
La Scala Stamps
Perhaps the most famous Opera House in the world is the Teatro alla Scala (La Scala) in Milan, Italy. The theater opened on August 3, 1778 and in 1978, Italy issued a pair of stamps dedicated to this bicentennial anniversary. One stamp shows the exterior of the theater and the second shows the famed interior. The stamps are by the design of engraver Francesco Tulli.
Italy, 1978
Scott #’s 1312 and 1313
In 1776, the Teatro Regio Ducale opera house burned down. Wealthy Milanese petitioned the Archduke of Austria (then the monarch controlling Milan) to build a replacement theater. Later that year, Empress Maria Theresa approved the design of the current building on the site of the former church Santa Maria alla Scala. The name of the theater came from the previous church that occupied that location. The building was paid for by box subscriptions and when it opened in 1778 it was the site not only of world-famous opera productions, but also of a gambling casino.
La Scalla opened with the premiere performance of Antonio Salieri’s Europa riconosciuta. Since then, it has been the site of the premiere performances of many of opera’s greatest works including Bellini’s Norma (1831), works by Rossini, Donizetti, Meyerbeer, and more. It was the site of the premiere of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly (1904) and Turandot (1926) among others.
Verdi and La Scala
Italy, 1963
Scott Number 886
The composer Giuseppi Verdi is one of the many famous composers to also conduct in La Scala. His association with the hall is so famous that the two were on an Italian stamp in 1963. However, Verdi had an unusual relationship with the hall. Although La Scala was the site of many premieres of his works, including Nabucco in 19842, for many years he would not allow his works to be presented there. He was upset at modifications that the orchestra made to his music. Later in life, he did premiere his last two operas in La Scala: Otello in 1887 and Falstaff in 1893.
Learn more about La Scala and its location in Milan in this video:
