The La Scala stage hosted the premieres of some of his most important works, such as “Nabucco” (1842), “Rigoletto” (1851) and “La Traviata” (1853). With these operas, Verdi gained recognition and became a symbol of Italian opera.
For some time Verdi was in a dispute with La Scala and did not allow his works to be played there. He claimed that the orchestra, by modifying his music, was “spoiling it.” In 1886, however, he announced that La Scala would host the premiere of his penultimate opera, “Otello.” The theater also hosted the premiere of his last opera “Falstaff.”
