Sketch for the first curtain of the Teatro alla Scala

The term “curtain” warrants a little further explanation. Today it is a simple red canvas, but it was once painted with mythological scenes inspired by a literary work and from which the painter created the sketch to be subjected to approval. The first curtains at La Scala were all inspired by a text by Giuseppe Parini. Here are the first lines from the text: Over a bright, hazy bank of clouds, which descend the canvas from right to left and cast a shadow over the right-hand side, we see a cart drawn by four light, spirited horses, upon which Apollo is seated, and who, resplendent in a bright glow, lights up the entire composition [...]”. Creating full-size sets therefore required the painters themselves to bring the scenes to life which, at the time, were all painted and not constructed like they are today. The curtains, just like the sets, were rolled up from the top onto long wooden poles since there was not enough room up there to raise them unfurled. Along with the smoke from the theatre’s lamps and the dust, rolling up the fabric led to its progressive deterioration and need for renewal, which also followed changes in fashion and tastes.