The Nuts and Bolts at La Scalla

I must say that the heat has rather taken control of our visit to Milan. We are under "an African Bubble". The jet stream has dipped further south than usual and then turned north bringing very hot temps from the Sahara. Even in the morning, when you open a door to the outside, it rather strikes you on the face.

This morning we took our time getting breakfasted. And then we had to go in search of shoes for me. My thrift store sandals, you know the ones, Kathy, had given up the ghost yesterday. Nearby our flat, there is a brand, spanking new shopping centre which, for some reason, has chosen to call itself CITY LIFE.

As you approach this fancy mall you are surrounded by these.

Very sleek and futuristic looking. The one on the right, that looks a bit like an animal draped over an upturned bowl, is, I believe, an abandoned car park. I'm sure that it was very chic in its time.











Anyway, we found me some shoes, which then proceeded to rub my heels raw as we headed off to find the props and costume shops for the world famous La Scala Opera and Ballet House. Our Beatrix is our singer and dancer. So we knew that she would enjoy seeing behind the scenes at the big time.

We joined about 15 people for an English tour which led us through the giant workshops where the magic is made. In the 1950's, they got all of the shops where props, scenery, and costumes were made and moved them into this huge abandoned industrial park. Every single item, prop, scenery, or costume that appears on the stage at La Scala must be made in their shop. This includes dishes, glasses, furniture, pictures. Nothing is purchased.

It all begins on paper and then is made in the form of a model, such as you see here. The model is made to exact size, colour, materials and hardware. 

When it is exactly the way they want it, they move down to the shop floor. Here they lay out the backdrops to paint. 

Most of the large set pieces are built of styrofoam and mounted on rolling platforms for rapid changes. 

Then we moved on to the costume department. Every costume is designed and assembled there. When it is finished it is laundered and then given to the performers to wear for all performances, sometimes in the hundreds, and then it is laundered again. Beatrix figured that her costume might be a bit ripe by the end. 

I have no costume shots because, after about 25 in the props dept., the guide gently told me that no photos were allowed.  But we saw where Maria Callas's duds were hanging - everything she ever wore when performing at La Scala. They are considered a national treasure and can never be worn again or even shown to the public. Now, there's a Diva for you. 

We made our way back on a bus, and on foot, stopping once for a lemon drink, and once for gelato. 

Tomorrow, Bea has called a SHOPPING DAY!!!