Act 1 of Donizetti's opera from La Scala. Milan La Scala Opera House
Orchestra
Conductor, Gino Marinuzzi
Chorus-Master, Vittore Veneziam
Cast
The musical Mecca of Italy is Milan the centre of which is the Scala
Theatre, which was built in 1778. No expense was spared to make it the grandest theatre in Italy, and it remains to this day one of the most beautiful in Europe with regard to decoration and design. Attached to the Opera is an orchestral society that gives an annual series of symphony concerts. Since Italy was the cradle of opera it has never been found necessary to go abroad for conductors, and the Scala Orchestra has always played under an Italian conductor. The most distinguished conductor who has ever guided the fortunes of the Opera and its orchestral society is Arturo Toscanini. A short article on Donizetti's opera will be found on page 14.