In a standoff with Rome, the Milan Scala Orchestra requests the retention of its director

The Milan Scala Orchestra requested on Monday a two-year extension of the contract of the director of the prestigious stage, the Frenchman Dominique Meyer, whose mandate expires in February 2025, amid turmoil over his succession. The musicians hope that Dominique Meyer “can complete his mandate in the full scope of his functions” and manage “the next season and the following”, the program of which has already been established, in a letter addressed to the board of directors of the Scala. “In view of the difficulties encountered” during the coronavirus pandemic which disrupted the program, the musicians say they are “convinced that an extension of the mandate would make it possible to carry out a valuable artistic journey”.

Dominique Meyer, 68, arrived at the helm of La Scala in 2020, after having directed the Vienna Opera for ten years. Previously, he was director of the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris and the Opéra de Lausanne. In their letter, the members of the orchestra directed by Riccardo Chailly also say they are “concerned by the continued journalistic indiscretions on the future of the theater”, an establishment “of national interest”.

In a context of takeover of the public cultural service by the right-wing and far-right government of Giorgia Meloni, speculation was rife about the succession of Dominique Meyer. At the end of a meeting at the beginning of March with the Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano, Giuseppe Sala, the mayor of Milan and president of the board of directors of La Scala, proposed Fortunato Ortombina, director of the Fenice of Venice, as successor to Dominique Meyer.

The appointment of Fortunato Ortombina, appreciated by the government, should be submitted to a vote by the board of directors of La Scala scheduled for April 8. Aged 63, he meets the criteria set by the Meloni government which wanted to see an Italian at the head of La Scala, after three foreign directors, and had set last May at 70 the age limit for directors of lyrical theaters.

Stéphane Lissner, the 71-year-old French director of the Naples Opera, who was forced to leave his position in June due to this measure, was able to return to his post after challenging it in court. According to this controversial decree, Dominique Meyer would reach the age limit in August 2025.