Editing La Scala (section)

===Major renovation, 2002 to 2004===
[[File:Milano scala piazza.jpg|thumb|300px|The exterior of La Scala in 2005 after the 2002/04 renovations]]
The theatre underwent a major renovation from early 2002 to late 2004. The theatre closed following the traditional 7 December 2001 season-opening performances of ''Otello'', which ran through December. From 19 January 2002 to November 2004, the opera company transferred to the new [[Teatro degli Arcimboldi]], built in the Pirelli-Bicocca industrial area {{convert|4.5|mi|km}} from the city center.

[[File:Teatro alla Scala interior Milan.jpg|thumb|left|300px|The theatre's restored interior]]
The renovation by [[architect]] [[Mario Botta]] proved controversial, as preservationists feared that historic details would be lost.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Riding |first=Alan |date=5 December 2004 |title=La Scala Proudly Emerges From a Drama of Its Own |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/05/arts/music/la-scala-proudly-emerges-from-a-drama-of-its-own.html |access-date=2 May 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 December 2002 |title=Critics say restoration has ruined La Scala |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/dec/10/italy.arts |access-date=2 May 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> However, the opera company was satisfied with the improvements to the structure and the sound quality, which was enhanced when the heavy red carpets in the hall were removed. The stage was entirely rebuilt, and an enlarged backstage allows more sets to be stored, permitting more productions.

Seats now include monitors for the [[Electronic libretto|electronic libretto system]] provided by [[Radio Marconi]], an Italian company, allowing audiences to follow opera libretti in English and Italian in addition to the original language. The opera house re-opened on 7 December 2004 with a production, conducted by [[Riccardo Muti]], of [[Antonio Salieri|Salieri's]] ''[[Europa riconosciuta]]'', the opera performed at La Scala's inauguration in 1778.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/la-scala-revamp-finished-early-1.497267| title=La Scala revamp finished early| date=5 November 2004| newspaper=[[CBC News]]}}</ref> Tickets for the re-opening fetched up to €2,000.<ref name="BBC_fires_official">{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4297413.stm| title=La Scala board fires top official| date=25 February 2005| newspaper=[[BBC News]]}}</ref>

The renovations cost a reported €61&nbsp;million and left a budget shortfall that the opera house overcame in 2006.<ref name=BBC_fires_official />