The Scala Opera House (Part 1): History and Myth

La Scala is more than just an opera house — it’s a legend, known and revered around the world. Few venues can match its prestige. As baritone Rolando Panerai once said: “When you enter La Scala and say, ‘I’ve sung at the Met in New York,’ no one is impressed. But when you enter any theater in the world and say, ‘I’ve sung at La Scala,’ it’s clear—you’ve made it.”

The first part of this documentary explores the rich and myth-filled history of La Scala. A special chapter is devoted to the complex and often turbulent relationship between Verdi and the opera house. Today, it's impossible to imagine La Scala without Verdi—but in his time, the connection was far from simple.

Through stories and rare insights, the film reconstructs key moments in the life of this iconic institution. It features some of opera’s most important voices, including maestro Carlo Maria Giulini, soprano Leyla Gencer, director Franco Zeffirelli, historian Lorenzo Arruga, and the passionate guides who lead us through the enduring legend of La Scala.