Barenboim to make early departure from La Scala
(ANSA) – Milan, October 28 – Star conductor Daniel Barenboim is leaving his post as musical director of La Scala Theatre in Milan nearly two years in advance, the superintendent of the internationally renowned opera house, Stephane Lissner, told unions on Monday.
Barenboim will cease to be musical director of La Scala as of January 1, 2015 instead of January 1, 2017, as previously foreseen. Unions commented that Barenboim’s exit ”had been in the air” since Lissner had brought the maestro to Milan.
Lissner is to be replaced as superintendent by Alexander Pereira on September 1, 2014, and the calendar of Barenboim’s commitments in Milan do not extend beyond next year.
The last La Scala performance under Barenboim’s direction is scheduled to be Ludwig van Beethoven’s Fidelio, which will inaugurate the performance season on December 7, 2014. Pereira is expected to speak of Barenboim’s successor when he meets with the La Scala orchestra on Thursday.
Pereira’s choice is reported to be Riccardo Chailly, but a poll has been taken among orchestra players between Chailly and Fabio Luisi, the results of which are thought to be announced Thursday.
”I am sorry,” commented Giuseppe Nastasi about the early ending of Barenboim’s tenure, speaking not in his role as representative of the Fials theatrical union but as an orchestra professor.
”The collaboration with Barenboim has enriched me very much. I will always keep it in my heart,” said Nastasi.