How Riedel Bolero is transforming backstage communication at Teatro alla Scala

Behind the curtain at Teatro alla Scala in Milan, precision has always been as vital as performance. Since its inauguration in 1778, the legendary opera house has stood at the centre of Italian cultural life. Over centuries, most of Italy’s greatest operatic artists – alongside many of the world’s finest singers – have taken its stage, cementing La Scala’s reputation as one of the leading opera and ballet theatres on the planet. Now, the historic venue is bringing the same commitment to excellence to the technology that powers its productions. Headliner discovers how the Fondazione Teatro alla Scala has deployed a comprehensive wireless intercom solution built around Riedel’s Bolero, NSA, RiFace, and PunQtum systems.

With Bolero at the core, the new setup unifies and modernises backstage communication, enabling seamless, real-time coordination across La Scala’s complex production environment, ensuring that, behind one of the world’s most celebrated stages, every cue can be delivered with perfect timing.

“Bolero has completely transformed how we work at Teatro alla Scala,” explained Marco Schretter, head of audio-video-streaming at Teatro alla Scala. 

“Its reliability, coverage, and intuitive interface have streamlined our workflows, reduced downtime, and eliminated the need for emergency fixes. During a rehearsal, we handed out Bolero beltpacks – most teams had never used them before – the rehearsal went flawlessly, and the feedback was consistently positive. 

"That’s when we knew Bolero had arrived. It’s not just a technical upgrade; it’s a new backstage performer that supports the precision and elegance our productions demand. Now, we can deploy smaller teams across different locations and remain fully interconnected.”=

Before implementing Bolero, Teatro alla Scala relied on a fragmented mix of communication tools that created significant integration challenges. The venue’s architectural complexity – with staircases, elevators, and acoustically sensitive zones like the orchestra pit and director’s booth – made consistent communication difficult. 

Riedel’s solution covers the high demands of Teatro alla Scala with a scalable system that integrates seamlessly across departments. Bolero now connects stage managers, lighting technicians, audio engineers, video operators, fly tower staff, streaming crews, and the director, enabling uninterrupted wireless communication even in the most RF-challenging areas of the theatre. 

RiFace integration supports 45 UHF channels for rigging crews, while NSA ensures interoperability with third-party systems used by the streaming team. PunQtum devices complement Bolero in roles requiring additional flexibility.

The system is actively used across key zones of interest, including the stage, stage tower, backstage, multiple foyers, museum, light and audio booths, and the orchestra pit. This allows for distributed task management and faster response times, saving staff from running back and forth and significantly improving operational efficiency.

The deployment has also delivered measurable cost savings. Bolero’s reliability reduces maintenance and downtime, while its unified architecture lowers equipment overhead. 

The intuitive interface minimises training costs, and the system’s durability, supported by the Riedel Care maintenance plan, ensures long-term performance without the need for frequent replacements or emergency fixes. Teatro alla Scala also reports faster setup and turnaround times, reduced labour costs, and enhanced coordination across departments.

“To see Bolero seamlessly integrated into such a prestigious venue is a testament to its reliability and versatility,” said Giuseppe Angilello, regional sales manager, Italy, Riedel Communications. 

“Teatro alla Scala represents the pinnacle of live performance, and Bolero is proud to support its legacy of excellence. This deployment sets a benchmark for other theatres and production companies seeking robust, scalable communication systems that meet the demands of world-class live events. We’re also proud of the strong partnership and support we’ve built with the team; they know we’re always there when they need us.”