Milan marks La Scala opening on Dec 7

(ANSA) - Milan, November 25 - Milan authorities on Wednesday presented a programme of over 50 events across the city to coincide with the annual Prima della Scala, or official opening of the 2015-2016 season at the historic opera house, which traditionally falls on December 7.
    'La Prima diffusa' - this year in its fifth edition - sees the participation of big names in the music and theatre worlds including 'punk poet laureate' Patti Smith, étoile Carla Fracci and actress Monica Guerritore. Central to the initiative running from November 26 to December 13 is the live screening of Verdi's 'Giovanna D'Arco' which opens the La Scala season at 19 city venues.
    These include San Vittore and Bollate prisons and the Ambrosian Refectory soup kitchen. La Scala superintendent and artistic director Alexander Pereira will also give an introduction to the opera for San Vittore inmates on November 27.
    On December 6 at Palazzo Edison Patti Smith will reveal her passion for opera while on December 9 it will be the turn of Carla Fracci and Monica Guerritore. "This initiative confirms our commitment to make Milan a city of widespread culture," city councillor for culture Filippo Del Corno said.