Migrant boats make music at Milan's La Scala

The violins, violas and cellos played by the Orchestra of the Sea in its debut performance recently at Milan's famed La Scala carry with them tales of hardship. Photo: AP

String instruments made from migrant boats met with sustained applause as they debuted at Italy's prestigious La Scala opera house in tribute to those who perish attempting the Mediterranean crossing to Europe.

The multicoloured "violins of the sea" were made by prisoners out of rickety boats washed up on the small Italian island of Lampedusa, a first port for many seeking to cross from North Africa.