«The Accademia del Teatro alla Scala is what the Scala envisions for the future: it is a historic possibility, a place where the know-how of a Theatre that is opera history itself is passed on. If the Scala is part of the world heritage, the Academy is a crucial part of it. It is the best possible investment for the future».
With these words, the current Superintendent of the Teatro alla Scala, Stéphane Lissner, sums up the Scala’s dedication to the nurturing of new talent, a vocation which began in 1813 when the Theatre instituted the Ballet School, an institution that is today internationally recognized as one of the best of its kind for the training of dancers.
The Theatre’s calling to favour the growth of new talents was renewed in the 1950s, with the founding of the school of The Scala Cadets, created thanks to Arturo Toscanini in order to provide historic continuity to the traditional Italian lyrical opera.
Later, in the 1970s, Tito Varisco, then director of stage sets, gave life to the course for set builders and designers, with the goal to pass on, from generation to generation, the excellence found in the creative and manual abilities of Scala artists.
Stemming from this nucleus arose other training courses, and in 2001 the Accademia del Teatro alla Scala became a private foundation, taking on the structure it has today: four departments – Music, Ballet, Stage and Workshops, Management – which cover a multitude of professions tied to the performing arts with a wide offering of courses for training, specialization and workshops.
The excellence of the teaching staff guarantees the best possible training, thanks to the participation of Teatro alla Scala professionals, who work alongside the finest artists and most important experts of the sector.
Every year, young people ranging age from 6 to 30 come from all over the world to become important figures in artistic, technical and managerial fields: opera singers, orchestra musicians, chorus singers, collaborative pianists, dancers, set builders, costume technicians, hair and makeup artists, lighting designers, stagehands, stage photographers, sound technicians, video-makers and managers.
The teaching is based on firsthand contact with the work world, allowing students to acquire daily “on the job” competences, which are further strengthened by intensive internship experience.
Every year, the “Academy Project”, which is a regularly programmed opera hosting a great many Academy students, allows students to perform professionally, as do the many other opportunities, such as concerts, theatre performances, exhibitions and seminars.
In recent years, international initiatives have been augmented in order to increase exchange between students, as well as to promote hospitality and international concerts. Also, research projects have been further encouraged by the European Community and these are carried out with important partners.
The same philosophy of openness and cooperation lies beneath the inception of the Education and Information Department, created to promote, both within and outside the Academy, projects to spread theatre and music culture through the use of listening appreciation guides, music laboratories, guided tours and meetings with artists and musicians.
