“Prima delle Prime” is a cycle of talks that La Scala offers to the public as an invitation and preparation to the shows on stage. They take place a few days before the beginning of every (opera and ballet) show, in the “Arturo Toscanini” foyer. The event features knowledgeable experts who discuss the work that is about to be staged, which provides a great opportunity to learn more about less-known works and to examine the most famous ones in detail.

“Prima delle Prime” is organised and made possible by the “Amici della Scala” (“La Scala's Friends”), a not-for-profit association that supports various side-activities of the Teatro alla Scala. “Prima delle Prime” is also supported by Mediolanum Channel, a cultural network broadcasting high-quality television programmes about the operas performed at La Scala.

The La Scala Ballet also organises conferences that introduce the public to the ballets put on at La Scala, which are also part of the “Prima delle Prime” initiative. Held in the foyer, they are enriched by video screenings.

No tickets are requested to attend the event. Members of the audience are admitted until the maximum seating capacity of the foyer (250) is reached. Access is via the main entrance of the theatre. Please note that these events are held in Italian.

Hosted by Marinella Guatterini, Prima delle Prime will this time discuss the numerous (classic or not) versions of Romeo and Juliet. It will be enriched by the presence of Julie Lincoln, who is in charge of the revival of the ballet for the MacMillan Trust.

Julie Lincoln’s career is closely linked to the Royal Ballet and to the Royal Ballet School, where she was ballet mistress for many years and worked with Frederick Ashton, Ninette de Valois and Kenneth Mac Millan. Upon Lady MacMillan’s advice, she trained in the Benesh choreographic notation system and for more than ten years has been one of the main actors of the restaging and preservation of MacMillan’s ballets.

This conference will thus be the opportunity to examine the capital importance of the transmission and preservation of choreographic heritage and the specificities of this version. The discussion will be illustrated with excerpts of the DVD made at La Scala during the January 2000 performances of the show.