Appalling: Academy fires student after she makes La Scala debut

The Norwegian mezzo-soprano Lilly Jørstad, who has been singing Rosina at La Scala this week, has been told by the La Scala Academy that she is ‘unsuitable’ to complete her studies next year.

The Academy letter, obtained and translated by Gramilano, reads:

Dear Sig.ra Jørstad,

we regret to inform you that, in the light of considerations that emerged during the deliberations of the Teaching Faculty over the last year, the Direction of the dell’Accademia di perfezionamento per Cantanti Lirici del Teatro alla Scala considers you unsuitable to complete the two-year course you started last October.

Sincerely,

Luisa Vinci

Given that Lilly was extremely well received, singing opposite veterans Leo Nucci and Ruggero Raimondi, this sounds like a bunch of teachers who are out of touch with professional realities. Someone needs to have a word.