Milan's La Scala Opera House Reopens to Public

The first concert took place on May 10, celebrating the reopening of the hall as well as it's 75th anniversary of the theatre's reconstruction

A group of 500 audience members entered La Scala's concert hall for the first live musical performance in over six months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To enforce social distancing, musicians stayed on the ground floor and audience members remained on the balconies. The venue normally seats 2000 audience members.

The theatre was rebuilt in 1946 following severe damage from World War II bombings in 1943. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the reopening.

"It's emotional to be able to once more breathe in the atmosphere that only the public can give us," said first violinist Laura Marzadori. "I hope this is a new beginning and that we won't stop again after these sad months of silence."

Musical director Riccardo Chailly stated, "We have recorded many concerts for streaming, but it was virtual, here it's different, with the public it's an intense moment of emotion that we share, as the final applause that we missed."