Giuseppe Verdi’s long career began at the Teatro alla Scala. He debuted here in 1839 with Oberto, conte di San Bonifacio. Three years later, and again at La Scala, he revealed to the world his genius as a composer with Nabucco.

The Museum is full of paintings bearing witness to Verdi’s relationship with La Scala, but room 4 is particularly significant. Here you can observe a portrait by Achille Scalese, showing a severe Verdi. On either side of the picture are two great women who accompanied the composer: Margherita Barezzi, and Giuseppina Strepponi.