Accompanied by his daughter Laura, Mattarella was the guest of honour at the gala event which took place on the feast of Saint Ambrose, Milan’s patron saint.
The 80-year-old president received over six minutes of applause, amid cheers of bis (encore) as the audience pushed for the outgoing head of state to remain for a second term of office.
The production, a Verdi opera based on the Shakespearean tragedy Macbeth, is likely to be Mattarella’s last La Scala premiere, as president as his mandate comes to an end in January and he has resisted pressure to not step down.
Following last year’s televised season opener from an empty theatre, Tuesday’s event was a positive signal for one of the world’s top opera houses, even as live performances elsewhere continue to suffer as the virus makes a winter resurgence.
The hundreds of spectators, including many celebrities, public figures and high-ranking politicians, all wore masks at the famed opera house which was forced to close last year due to COVID-19 regulations.
Among the special guests was fashion mogul Giorgio Armani, who oversaw the floral decorations in the theatre: more than 10,000 roses and 3000 orchids adorned the central stage and the boxes.
With strict health protocols in place for both the public and performers, La Scala is permitted to open at full capacity only to those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or recovered from the virus.
Unvaccinated people are not allowed entry.
Macbeth, conducted by Riccardo Chailly and directed by Davide Livermore, received a 12-minute applause from the audience.
Italian baritone Luca Salsi sings the title role alongside star soprano Anna Netrebko as Lady Macbeth, Russian baritone Ildar Abdrazakov as Banquo and Italian tenor Francesco Meli as Macduff.
The production will run until December 29.
