Teatro alla Scala was built in 1776 as a replacement for the Teatro Ducale which had been destroyed by fire. Following further damage caused by bombings during WWII it was rebuilt and reopened for a second time in 1946. The first performances of works by Verdi, Rossigni, Bellini, Boito, Donizetti and Puccini were held here. Now the renowned La Scala, with seating for around 3,000 distributed in the stalls, four tiers of boxes and two galleries, has become one of the foremost opera venues in the world and home to the celebrated La Scala di Milano opera company.
