Milan’s well-known La Scala names new director of the opera home after months of controversy
ROME — Milan’s La Scala, one of many world’s most prestigious and historic opera homes, on Tuesday named Fortunato Ortombina as its new director, ending months of political controversy. He’ll step into the put up in September on the famed Teatro alla Scala.
Town’s mayor, Giuseppe Sala, made the announcement after the opera home’s board of administrators finalized Ortombina’s appointment.
La Scala’s new chief, presently the final supervisor at Venice’s opera home La Fenice, takes over from Dominque Meyer, who has been on the helm of Milan’s opera since 2020. Meyer will stay in his present place till Aug. 1, 2025, whereas Ortombina will act because the director-designate till absolutely taking up.
Ortombina’s appointment comes as Italy’s far-right authorities of Premier Giorgia Meloni is making an attempt to advertise Italian nationals for management positions, favoring them over foreigners for main cultural posts.
Ortombina, 63, had already served as coordinator of La Scala’s inventive course from 2003-2007, earlier than turning into the inventive director at La Fenice.
Italy’s Tradition Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano — who has made bringing Italians again on the helm of the nation’s predominant establishments certainly one of his high priorities — hailed the brand new appointment.
“After three overseas basic administrators, Stéphane Lissner, Alexander Pereira and Dominique Meyer, an Italian returns to La Scala,” he mentioned Tuesday.
“We’ve completed the whole lot for the great of La Scala, for dignity and equity,” mentioned Sala, the mayor, explaining that Meyer’s contract will probably be partially prolonged to make sure a tender transition.
Meyer, 68, has earned large respect and recognition in Italy and overseas, over his years on the helm of La Scala. His substitute comes in opposition to the backdrop of recent guidelines launched final 12 months by Meloni’s authorities, which set an age restrict of 70 for opera administrators.
La Scala is not any stranger to political points. Final month, forward of the ultimate efficiency of an opera-ballet set in battle, La Scala’s principal dancer Roberto Bolle, Meyer and different members of the dance firm, orchestra and stage crew lined up on the stage underneath a big banner inscribed with “Stop fireplace” — a reference to the the warfare in Gaza.
