La Scala Opeara Theatre in Milan

La Scala in Milan is probably the most famous opera house in the world.

Its construction started, thanks to the Empress Maria Teresa of Austria, in 1776 after the destruction of the Ducal Theatre by a fire and it took two years to complete it. It derives its name from the church of Santa Maria alla Scala, on whose remains it has been built according to a project of the (neoclassical) architect Piermarini. The sober facade heavily contrasts with the magnificent interior. After its first opening performance (a work by Salieri). Many more followed, from Paisiello to Cimarosa, from Rossini to Bellini, Donizetti and

Verdi, just to name a few ones. Arturo Toscanini became artistic supervisor of La Scala in 1898 and the repertoire he chose included then Wagner, Mascagni, Leoncavallo and Puccini.

The Town Hall of Milan purchased the theatre in 1921 from its private owners. The best directors and singers in the world have performed at La Scala which kept its primary role as the most prestigious opera theatre also between the world wars and after the Second World War.

A Museum (opened in 1813) close to the theatre displays portraits, busts, costumes and many antique properties of Verdi and Toscanini.

Travel to Naples Italy. The small island of Procida

Instead of choosing the well known islands of Capri or Ischia, we decided for anexcursion to the smallest and less known of the three islands in the gulf of Naples,
getting away from the so-called "mass tourism". And indeed Procida is a fascinatingplace, with its narrow roads, its colored houses facing the sea.
Ferries and hydrofoils dock at Marina Grande arriving from Naples orPozzuoli. The first image that welcome those who arrive at Procida are the colored houses linedup along the sea. This fishermen's little town is dominated by a castlestanding on a rock of turf. But the heart of the island is "Terra Murata", with its medieval houses, gardens, churches and palaces. Donot miss the panorama from the "belvedere".If you like to swim, the semicircular bay of Marina di Chiaolella awaits you with its calm sea.The islands houses also an Oasis protected by the W.W.F. (World WildlifeFund) on the islet of Vivara: it is worth a visit, but do not forget to obtain the
permission from the Municipality.It is not a case if Lamartine celebrated the island in his book"'Graziella" in 1852, also Elsa Morante's novel "L'isola di Arturo" (1957) is set in this small and fascinating island.