Milan’s Teatro alla Scala is one of the most celebrated opera houses in Europe, and has been since its founding in the late 18th century by Archduchess Maria Theresa, the Hapsburg ruler responsible for a number of the city’s cultural institutions. While the sumptuous crimson- and gold-coloured interior can be glimpsed on a visit to the theater’s museum, nothing beats joining the vociferous crowd (celebrated tenor Roberto Alagna famously walked off stage in 2006 after he was booed in a performance of Franco Zeffirelli’s “Aida”) for a night of music. If opera isn’t your bag, check out the theater’s other offerings, which range from symphony concerts and recitals to ballets and talks.
Time Out tip: If you’re an opera lover but can’t find tickets to the often sold-out opera productions, book a seat for a recital, which features an accomplished opera singer performing solo with a piano accompaniment.