Exclusive: La Scala debuts an Italian maestra

The conductor Evelino Pidò has left rehearsals of Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi ‘for reasons related to the health emergency’. The show opens on January 18.

Jumping in is Speranza Scappucci, who becomes the first Italian woman to conduct an Italian opera in the crucible of the art form.

(Previously, Claire Gibault, Marin Alsop, Susanna Mälkki and Eun Sum Kim have conducted at La Scala) .

The production, directed by Adrian Noble, stars Lisette Oropesa and Marianne Crebassa.

Sepranza writes: ‘I feel very emotional and strong responsibility for this sudden and unexpected engagement. I thank Sovrintendente Meyer and the whole theatre, especially the orchestra, for their welcome and for the desire to perform the production despite the difficulties.