AAA superintendent wanted: by the end of January, La Scala's board of directors will carry out checks to arrive at a shortlist of candidates "in Italy and abroad" from which to choose who will lead the theater from February 2025, when Dominique Meyer's mandate expires, with the aim of making a decision by spring. No headhunters, as was the case five years ago, when it was necessary to find Alexander Pereira's replacement, but the intention to reach an agreement between all the components of the council, i.e. the government, the local authorities (Region and Municipality) and private individuals.
Components that "weigh in the same way" warned the mayor Giuseppe Sala, who is president of the theater.
Meyer's name will also be on the shortlist, who today confirmed the profit balance sheet for 2024 despite the agreement on the new employment contract that provides for an adjustment of salaries to the cost of living and presented the program for the next three years, which includes the conclusion of Wagner's tetralogy conducted by Christian Thielemann, the new opera by Francesco Filidei based on Umberto Eco's Name of the Rose, in co-production with the Paris Opera, the return of Norma conducted by Fabio Luisi, a Carmen directed by Damiano Michieletto, Pélleas et Melisande conducted by Daniele Gatti and a new Traviata directed by Mario Martone and on the podium Michele Mariotti and a season opening with Falstaff. But despite the results that everyone recognizes, the French manager faces at least two obstacles, the fact that in 2025 he will turn 70 and that the government has never hidden that it wants a change. And perhaps this is also why the mayor used a simile: Meyer is on the squad "like Pereira was there five years ago".
Of course, a one-year extension in his role is excluded. The councilors agreed on two things: that the role of superintendent and artistic director will be divided from now on ("not a constraint but a strong indication") and that a reconnaissance will be made until the end of January to avoid "that there is a game between one or two" or that everything is reduced to "Meyer yes, Meyer doesn't." At that point, discussions will also be held with the government.
"It is true that the government is giving indications of a change, but we must take into account everyone's opinion," the mayor noted. If everyone remains on rigid positions, we are in a stalemate, but Minister Sangiuliano is a person with whom we reason. So I take note of your indication, which is the change, but I am sure that we can talk to the minister."
Certainly, as some councillors said, recalling everyone's always positive opinion of Meyer, "we need to find a solid alternative". One of the names on the plate, now that Carlo Fuortes seems to be headed to the Maggio Fiorentino, is that of the superintendent of the Fenice Fortunato Ortombina, and in the corridors of the theater there are those who speculate Salvo Nastasi, current president of Siae. "Ideally" the final decision will come in the spring.
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