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La Scala Opens Season With Shostakovich’s Lady Macbeth, Sets Box-Office Record as Chailly Marks Final Dec. 7

Applause for senator for life Liliana Segre highlighted the event’s civic weight.

Overview

  • The Prima introduced Shostakovich to the Dec. 7 tradition for the first time with Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk under Riccardo Chailly.
  • Teatro alla Scala reported a record gross of €2,679,482, surpassing the receipts of 2024’s La forza del destino and 2023’s Don Carlo.
  • The performance earned more than 11 minutes of ovations, with superintendent Fortunato Ortombina calling it an embrace from the audience.
  • Chailly led the Inno di Mameli as the audience stood and softly sang, and Liliana Segre was warmly applauded on her arrival in the royal box.
  • Institutional and cultural figures filled the house, and Lombardy president Attilio Fontana remarked on the limited government presence beyond Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli as brief comments on culture funding surfaced.