Milans famous La Scala opera house opens the new 2011 season with Richard  Die Walkure, conducted by Daniel Barenboim and with a glittering cast of top world Wagner singers.

According to long-established custom, the debut coincides with the Feast of Sant 'mbrogio, Milans patron saint, on the 7 th December. The La Scala First Night is one of the most important social events of the year in Italy, traditionally attended by Italys President and leading members of the government, along with cinema and TV stars and the cream of Milans high society.  First Night attendance doesnt come cheap. The minimum price of a ticket up in the gods is 120, while the privileged in the stalls pay 3,000. Nonetheless, despite the financial crisis, seats are already sold out.  

However, less opulent young opera lovers were given a chance to enjoy the performance on  the 4 th December, when tickets for the Grand Rehearsal were reserved especially for the under 30s at the price of 10.

La Scala says that the theatre will cash 2.3 million on the Walkure First Night, with the subsequent performances totaling almost 4 million in box office receipts. Spinoff earnings are calculated at some 750,000 for makeup, coiffeurs, jewellery, shoes, accessories and sundries. 500 businesses are linked to the La Scala effect in the y centre alone, with earnings totaling 3 million over the entire season.