PIERMARINI, Giuseppe

In Habsburg-ruled Lombardy, Giuseppe Piermarini was the official architect until the French invasion in 1796. As a pupil of Vanvitelli, he represented the Roman tradition his early works in Milan. He designed the Palazzo Belgioioso for Alberico Belgioioso d’Este, who had been raised in rank from privy councilor to prince. Although the articulation of the fa�ade evokes Bernini models, its sever orthogonality and clean separation of levels nonetheless carry the hallmarks of early Neoclassicism. The flat rustication and continuous entablature produce an almost two-dimensional effect.

In Habsburg-ruled Lombardy, Giuseppe Piermarini was the official architect until the French invasion in 1796. As a pupil of Vanvitelli, he represented the Roman tradition his early works in Milan. His most celebrated building was the Teatro alla Scala, rebuilt in 1776-78.

The fa�ade to the square is articulated by coupled columns and pilasters over a rusticated ground floor, pedimented windows and a tall attic floor, missing Cinquecento elements with French influences. The depth of the projection features is differentiated on each story, creating a busy effect, while the ‘porte coch�re’ (the porch where vehicles stop to set down passengers) at the main entrance represents a forward-looking element.

Milan’s Teatro alla Scala (Theatre at the Stairway; popularly called La Scala), is one of the great opera houses of the world. Damaged by bombing during World War II, La Scala was quickly reconstructed and reopened with a concert by Arturo Toscanini in 1946. Extensive renovations also took place in the early 21st century.

On the right side stands the Palazzo Belgioioso designed by Giuseppe Piermarini for Alberico Belgioioso d’Este, who had been raised in rank from privy councilor to prince.

In Habsburg-ruled Lombardy, Giuseppe Piermarini was the official architect until the French invasion in 1796. As a pupil of Vanvitelli, he represented the Roman tradition his early works in Milan. His most celebrated building was the Teatro alla Scala, rebuilt in 1776-78.

With 2.800 seats, the splendid auditorium was the largest of its time. The oval ground plan followed the mold-setting court theatre of Turin (1738-40). The boxes, which were fitted out individually by their owners, are distributed over the bottom four tiers, the two galleries above having standing places.

Milan’s Teatro alla Scala (Theatre at the Stairway; popularly called La Scala), is one of the great opera houses of the world. Damaged by bombing during World War II, La Scala was quickly reconstructed and reopened with a concert by Arturo Toscanini in 1946. Extensive renovations also took place in the early 21st century.