BBC News Online: Entertainment: Arts

Glass drama at opera house

The venue is home to opera and ballet

No-one was hurt as the panel, one of 100 attached to the side walls of the new Arcimboldi theatre, crashed onto empty seating on Wednesday during a performance of the ballet Excelsior.

The performance had to be abandoned as a result and the production will now resume on Friday.

Questions are being asked about the safety of the 2,400-seat Arcimboldi Theatre in northern Milan which was built in just 27 months to be ready for the start of the Milan opera season, which began in December.

Improve acoustics

Technicians had already repaired cracks in the glass panel six metres above the seating, and had moved people sitting there to alternative seats.

The movable glass panels are designed to improve acoustics at the theatre.

In a statement the opera house has said that the remaining panels would be removed "to guarantee absolute safety while awaiting the results of evaluations which are under way".

Milan state prosecutor's office said it was assessing whether to open a criminal enquiry.

Milan's famous opera company, La Scala, inaugurated a new theatre to replace its legendary venue, which has been closed for renovations.

There were mixed reactions from members of Italy's elite and opera fans to the new opera house.

Opera experts have criticised the quality of the sound, despite the moveable, glass acoustic panels.

La Scala's renovation is expected cost $49m - more than the construction of the Arcimboldi.