THE PREMIO GALLERIA (Galleria Award)
Established in November 2024, the Premio Galleria (Galleria Award) is the annual award that celebrates the deep bond between Teatro La Scala and the city of Milan.
The Scala Theatre atmosphere
A tribute from the City of Milan to the artists and figures of Teatro alla Scala.
In November 2024, the Premio Galleria (Galleria Award)was established as an annual award celebrating the deep bond between La Scala Theatre and the city of Milan.
The award ceremony is held at the historic Ristorante Galleriaa long-standing meeting place for professionals, experts, and opera enthusiasts. Since its founding on 4 October 1968this iconic venue has combined a passion for music, literature, art, and Milanese civic life, quickly becoming a vibrant hub of cultural and intellectual exchange. Today, under the management of the Galli family, the Ristorante Galleria remains a key gathering spot for the La Scala community, offering a unique atmosphere steeped in the spirit of La Scala.
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This event celebrates artistic and cultural excellence, reaffirming Milan and Teatro La Scala’s pivotal role on the global stage.
I Edition • Premio Galleria 2024
The Premio Galleria for La Scala Personality was awarded to Davide Livermore, chosen by the award’s governing council, chaired by Pier Galli and including Elvio Giudici, Alberto Mattioli and Marco Vizzardelli.
Additional prizes were awarded as follows:
• Best Performance of the Season: Werther
• Best Conductor: Kirill Petrenko for Der Rosenkavalier
• Best Director: Damiano Michieletto for Médée
• Best Singer: Benjamin Bernheim for Werther
• Best Debut: Thomas Guggeis for Die Entführung aus dem Serail
Ph. © Alice Antonietti
II Edition • Premio Galleria 2025
The second edition of the Premio Galleria 2025 took place on November 25, 2025, celebrating the leading figures of the opera and artistic season at Teatro alla Scala.
The Premio Galleria 2025 Personaggio Scaligero was awarded to Riccardo Chaillywho also received the award for Best Conductor, in his final year as Music Director of Teatro alla Scala. The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Michele Pertusi.
The awards were decided by the board of directors, chaired by Pier Galli, owner of Ristorante Galleria in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, together with writer and journalist Alberto Mattioli (La Stampa, QN and Il Foglio), Elvio Giudici (Il Giorno and Classic Voice) and Marco Vizzardelli (L’Alto Adige).
Additional prizes were awarded as follows:
• Premio alla regia: Robert Carsen for Così fan tutte
• Best Singer: for her portrayal of Leonora in La forza del destino
• Best Opera Composer: Francesco Filidei for his new opera Il nome della rosa
• Best Conductor: Riccardo Chailly
III Edizione • Premio Galleria 2026
The awards ceremony for the third edition of the Premio Galleria will take place on November 25 at Ristorante Galleria, in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, celebrating the leading figures of the Teatro alla Scala's opera and artistic season.
The award for Best Production goes to Faust, conducted by Daniele Rustioni and directed by Johannes Erath. Rustioni also receives the award for Best Conductor, while Alex Esposito, in the role of Méphistophélès, is named Best Singer.
The award for Best Stage Director goes to Romeo Castellucci, for his La Scala debut with Pelléas et Mélisande.
The title of Personality of the Year is awarded to baritone Luca Salsi, while the Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Bruno Casoni, the long-standing director of the Teatro alla Scala Chorus.
This year's edition also introduces a new award dedicated to the memory of journalist and musicologist Angelo Foletto, who recently passed away. The award goes to young soprano Francesca Pia Vitale, in recognition of her interpretation of Violetta in La Traviata.
The awards were selected by a jury of journalists, experts and music enthusiasts, while the Personality of the Year and Lifetime Achievement awards were decided by the organising committee.
The Premio Galleria, sponsored by the Galli family and chaired by Pier Galli, owner of the historic Ristorante Galleria, continues to strengthen its ties with Teatro alla Scala and with the finest expressions of Milan's musical and cultural heritage.
Il premio per la Miglior produzione was awarded to Faust, diretto da Daniele Rustioni con la regia di Johannes Erath, che si aggiudica anche il riconoscimento come Best Conductor. Il premio come Miglior cantante è andato ad Alex Esposito, interprete di Méphistophélès.
Il riconoscimento per la Miglior regia è stato attribuito a Romeo Castellucci, per il suo debutto scaligero con Pelléas et Mélisande.
Il titolo di Personalità dell’anno è stato assegnato al baritono Luca Salsi, mentre il Lifetime Achievement Award è andato a Bruno Casoni, storico direttore del Coro del Teatro alla Scala.
L’edizione di quest’anno si arricchisce inoltre di un nuovo riconoscimento dedicato alla memoria del giornalista e musicologo Angelo Foletto, recentemente scomparso. Il premio è stato assegnato al giovane soprano Francesca Pia Vitale, per la sua interpretazione di Violetta nella Traviata.
I riconoscimenti sono stati assegnati da una giuria composta da giornalisti, esperti e appassionati, mentre i premi per la Personalità dell’anno e alla carriera sono stati deliberati dal consiglio direttivo.
The the Premio Galleria (Galleria Award), offerto dalla famiglia Galli e presieduto da Pier Galli, gestore dello storico ristorante, rinnova così il proprio legame con il Teatro alla Scala e con le eccellenze della cultura musicale milanese.
Contact us
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, 75
20121 Milano (Italy)
We are open every day of the year (except December 25), from 11:00 am to 12:30 am, and after evening performances at Teatro alla Scala.
Reservations can be made by telephone or email.
Tel. +39 02 86464912
E-mail info@ristorantegalleria.it