Museo Teatrale alla Scala

About the museum

The Museo Teatrale alla Scala is located in the Casino Ricordi, next to the Teatro alla Scala, and is dedicated to the centuries-long history of the theatre and of opera. Its first core was formed in 1911, when the private collection of the antiquarian Giulio Sambon, a great theatre enthusiast, was bought at a Paris auction; the purchase was made possible by a public subscription and government funding. The collection aimed to document the history of performance from antiquity to the present day, initially without a specific link to the activities of La Scala.

The museum, whose creation was proposed by Arrigo Boito, Lodovico Pogliaghi and Ettore Modigliani, opened on 8 March 1913. Many donations and acquisitions followed in the years after; during the Second World War the collections were moved to safe places and, after reconstruction, the museum was rearranged by Fernanda Wittgens.

The exhibition area comprises fourteen rooms with portraits and busts of the great figures of opera of all eras, sketches, paintings, letters, memorabilia and historic musical instruments. The visit begins with a view over the auditorium of the Teatro from the third-tier boxes, when there are no rehearsals, performances or events, and continues through the museum rooms and the temporary exhibitions devoted to the protagonists of the Teatro alla Scala.

Highlights

• View over the Teatro alla Scala auditorium from the third-tier boxes
• Portraits and busts of composers, conductors and singers
• Historic musical instruments, memorabilia and autographs
• Painting by Angelo Inganni showing the facade of La Scala in 1852
• Guided tours inside the Teatro, from the boxes and foyers down to below the stage
• Guided route through the Laboratori Ansaldo (Tuesdays and Thursdays)

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione del Museo Teatrale – Fourteen rooms with portraits, busts, memorabilia, sketches and musical instruments that tell the story of the Teatro alla Scala and of opera, with a view over the auditorium.

Founded

1913

Operated by

Fondazione Teatro alla Scala

Director

Donatella Brunazzi

Admission & discounts

Prices shown exclude the fee for online purchase. Free admission also for guides, ICOM members, servicemen in uniform, Teatro alla Scala subscribers and holders of the Abbonamento Musei Lombardia or the YesMilano City Pass (just show it at the ticket office). The ticket includes the current exhibition but not the guided tour.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is accessible to people with mobility difficulties thanks to a reserved lift that leads directly to the rooms and to the boxes overlooking the auditorium; simply ask the staff for assistance at the entrance. The lift can also be used with wheelchairs and pushchairs. Through the project “Un Museo Senza limiti”, tours and workshops are organised, including sound-based experiences for blind visitors and sessions with Italian Sign Language interpreters.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly

The museum offers activities for children and families, on site and remotely, a children's route with a treasure hunt in the app and family tickets. Free admission under 6.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located at Largo Ghiringhelli 1, on Piazza della Scala.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit