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Don Carlo at La Scala and the events in the city
To celebrate the opening night of Teatro alla Scala season
From December 1st to December 7th, 2023 free events will take Giuseppe Verdi’s Don Carlo in streets, piazzas, theatres and even… prisons.
The City of Milano and Edison, jointly organize Prima Diffusa (Opening Night for Everyone) with public screenings, concerts, performances, exhibitions and meetings dedicated to La Scala’s First Night of the season, in over 30 venues.
With Prima Diffusa, the creative energy of Opera Theatre is everywhere.
All screenings, concerts and performances offer free admission, subject to availability unless otherwise indicated.
Check out the complete programme.
Music director Riccardo Chailly inaugurates the Teatro alla Scala 2023/2024 Opera and Ballet Season with Don Carlo by Giuseppe Verdi.
The opera Don Carlo is set in 16th-century Spain. Prince Don Carlo, son of Philip II, falls in love with Princess Elizabeth of Valois, his father's betrothed. The court intrigues, political conspiracies and religious conflicts - all fuelled by the tumultuous presence of the Spanish Inquisition - create an intense drama. Don Carlo's forbidden desires, betrayal, exile and struggles for power are interwoven into a historical context steeped in nuances and suspense, creating one of Verdi's most dramatic and engaging works.
Chorus and Orchestra
Teatro alla Scala
Conductor
Riccardo Chailly
Stage direction
Lluís Pasqual
Scenography
Daniel Bianco
Costumes
Franca Squarciapino
Lighting
Pascal Mérat
Video designer
Franc Aleu
Choreographer
Nuria Castejón
Running time: 4 hours and 20 minutes
Prima della Scala will be screened live, with free admission, in numerous locations around Milano (admission free unless otherwise indicated), to unite all opera lovers in the city, novices and aficionados alike.
In chosen locations, the screening of Don Carlo will be preceded by listening guides to the opera (in Italian), curated by Accademia Teatro alla Scala.
If you are near the Duomo on December 7th, don't miss the screening live in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II!
Thursday December 1st, 2023, 6:30pm
Castello Sforzesco, Sala della Balla – Piazza Castello
The inaugural event represents an important moment to bring the public closer to La Scala’s First Night of the season. The musicologist Fabio Sartorelli will not only illustrate Don Carlo’s plot and characters but, thanks to a captivating and engaging story, and the musical interpretation entrusted to the Accademia Teatro alla Scala students, he will guide the audience to better understanding the historical, social and cultural context of the period in which Verdi composed the opera.
Performance by the La Scala School soloists.
Free entry is subject to availability. Entry from 6:00 pm.
A series of performances and meetings, from December 1st to 7th, will allow for a deeper appreciation of Don Carlo and Giuseppe Verdi.
Once again, music and art come together in harmony for the Prima Diffusa 2023: exhibitions, performances and workshops offer the chance to discover a new and surprising side to Don Carlo.
Production: Municipality of Milano’s Department of Culture & Leisure, and Ponderosa Music & Art.
With the collaboration of: Teatro alla Scala, Accademia Teatro alla Scala, RAI, the 9 Municipal districts in Milano and the Castello Sforzesco.
The live broadcast in the Ottagono - Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is organised by Teatro alla Scala and its official partners.
