Museo Teatrale alla Scala

The Museo Teatrale alla Scala covers the history of the lyrical theatre just like that of the great musicians who have had the honour of exhibiting themselves on the stage of La Scala, all through a series of exhibits of inestimable historical and artistic value: paintings, busts, documents, scenery, scores, and musical instruments.

The museum was inaugurated on 8th March 1913 in the ex Casino Ricordi building, nextdoor to the Scala Theatre. Initially, the exhibition showed the antique's collection of Giulio Sambon, and acquired pieces from the auctions of the Theatre, thanks also to the help of the Government of the Citizens of Milan. Over the successive years, the collection of the Museum got larger and more rich thanks to the pieces bought and the donations received.

As well as the rooms dedicated to antique musical instruments and artwork, the Museo Teatrale alla Scala hosts a very large and valuable library. It is the "Livia Simoni" Library where, nowadays, one can find more than 140,000 volumes dedicated to the world of the theatre. This library is situated in the eighteenth century building called Palazzo Busca, not too far from another opera of great importance for the city of Milan: the Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie.

The Museo Teatrale alla Scala is open every day except on particular occasions or Festivities, and it is possible to visit it autonomously or with the help of a guide. Close to the museum it is possible to stay in one of the numerous hotels in Milan; the museum is easily reached from anywhere in the city as it is in the centre.