Originally Posted by
Perche
The opera in Milan, La Scala, is arguably the most prestigious in the world. You have to hope to get tickets, not to get them at discount. Almost all seats to to season subscribers. What is left is put up for sale 60 days before the premiere of that opera. Not 60 days before the day you want to go, but 60 days before the first showing of that opera. They sell out right away. To sit in the main orchestra, for 5, figure on paying about $2,000-2,500, but it's not likely you'll all be sitting together for a box it's about the same price but they only seat 2. The others in the box have an obstructed view. Most of the seats that you can just pick up 60 days before are, "listening only." You can see very little of the stage. If you want to see an opera in Milan you will be lucky to get seats, and don't count on any discounts.
While it was nice of Perche to answer your questions, the amount of incorrect information in his reply only serves to further myths about La Scala while really not helping you at all. Not ALL tickets for all performances sellout right away. Not even close. While Turandot is sold out , many hundred tickets, including many in the orchestra, remain for many performances of Carmen long after they went on sale. Even Lucia with Damrau, whose Traviata at La Scala was celebrated, has nearly 400 tickets remaining for all performances a day after they went on sale and in all locations except the gallery. I suggest you go to the La Scala website and see for yourself. Five tickets in the orchestra will run you about $1500.
In addition, the cheapest non gallery seats are closer to 100 euros than they are to 200. And discounted tickets are available at the box office an hour before curtain if any are available not to mention the cheapo day of gallery tickets.
I was almost fooled into believing the myth about La Scala tickets until I found out for myself.