Bartoli declares La Scala boycott over Pereira dismissal

The mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli has withdrawn from three Handel operas she had committed to La Scala. Her decision is connected to the board’s refusal to renew the contract of sovrintendente Alexander Pereira, with whom she worked closely at the Salzburg Festivals.

Emails from her husband, Oliver Widmer, to Pereira have been published in Italian media. One reads:

Dear Alexander, Cecilia is shocked by the decision not to extend your contract. In these circumstances, she does not believe that she can collaborate with La Scala. I am very sorry and I hope that we will be able to meet up together soon in another situation.

photo: Marco Brescia Teatro-alla-Scala, 2018

Bartoli’s name was removed from Giulio Cesare yesterday, hours after premium-priced tickets went on sale.