La Scala confirms its next boss
mainThe board of La Scala Milan has, as predicted, named Dominique Meyer of the Vienna State Opera as its next sovrintendente, starting at the beginning of 2020.
The present chief, Alexander Pereira, whose contract has not been renewed, will be allowed an extraordinarily long 18-month overlap, staying at the theatre until June 2021.
Meyer, who has been ousted in Vienna in an underhand political coup, said:
‘It is a great honour and the greatest possible pleasure to be able to work for the Teatro alla Scala. For many years I have felt connected to this house, which I love and admire. After wonderful years in Vienna, Paris and Lausanne, I am overjoyed to be able to start a new adventure in Milan – Italy has always held a special place in my heart!
‘I already know many people at La Scala and look forward to meeting the rest of the Scala family and the Milanese opera lovers soon. I will do everything it takes to start shaping the artistic future of this great opera house efficiently, smoothly and with respect for the house and Alexander Pereira.
Dominique Meyer
There goes the neighborhood. Now at La Scala we will see nothing but sopranos with big boobs and tenors with big pecs. No more real singing, no taste, no interpretation. Big money from Saudi Arabia and Russia. The end of La Scala.
La Scala’s heyday was over long ago …
Er, it was Pereira who came up with the idea of Saudi money.
He was not „ousted“ . His contract was simply not renewed after 10 years. That was more than enough taking into account how artistically unsuccessful he was and still is. And despite his 99. something figures occupancy rate the reality at the box office is down to a little bit over 80%. Good bye!
Hermann Lederer is quite right. Meyer is and always was a dreary bean-counter with no idea of artistic or musical excellence. The lack of rehearsal time at the Wiener Staatsoper Sausage Factory is a well known scandal. It is quite common for a conductor to step into a revival with literally no opportunity to work with the singers whom they may or may not know. Just one example – Speranza Scappucci conducted La Cenerentola earlier this year without even a piano rehearsal. This may be all very well for tourists who don’t know Wagner from Wiener Walzer but for locals, the Meyer regime was the Götterdämmerung of this once illustrious house. Buona fortuna La Scala.
I doubt you’ve read Herr Lederer’s comment – since he disagrees with every single thing you’ve said.
From 80% about 40% are “REGIEKARTEN” for 15€
37 million Euros with only 40% at full price
chapeau!
Do the discounts include patrons who bought tickets for the whole season?