Argentina’s Teatro Colon is now run from abroad
OperaThe management of the most historic opera house in the southern hemisphere is now in the following hands:
Gerardo Grieco, General Manager (Uruguay)
Andrés Rodríguez, Opera Director (Chile)
Julio Bocca, Ballet Director (Argentinian living in Uruguay)
Zoe Zeniodi, Music Director of the Buenos Aires Philharmonic (Greece)
Beatrice Venezi, Music Director of the Resident Orchestra (Italy)
Of these five, only Grieco is taking up residence in Buenos Aires.
If Andrés Rodriguez is involved it can only be good news.
Teatro Colón has always suffered from “foreign-itis”, incompetence and corruption, but as far as I know this is the first time in its centennial history that it’s run by foreigners from their respective cities. I’m speechless.
That’s a problem we have in Colombia as well. All symphony orchestras run by (very mediocre) music directors; just because they are foreigners. As a concertmaster in one of the professional orchestras in the country I really think our Colombian conductors would do a much better job.
I am sad to hear this. When I was in the Sinfonica National, we had Jamie Leon, Luis Biava and many good guests. Who is there now?
Oh, but everyone seems very happy about it down here! Well, perhaps they will be less enthusiastic when these guys put in motion the plan for which they have been hired (basically, to fire as many local workers as possible)…
Montevideo is a shorter commute to BA than most people who work in London face daily.
And I am not sure who provided this “news,” but nowhere does it say people are not living in BA, except with Julio Bocca. And he’s a water taxi away.
This “news” sounds like a piece of gossip. As it is unsourced, there may be a personal agenda. Perhaps someone who did not get a job? Using SD to get a grievance aired?
Anyway, what’s the point? Concert halls and opera houses are very much run by people from “away.” They get the best available person.
“Unsourced piece of gossip”, right. Nice try there!
Rodríguez staying in Chile: https://www.lanacion.com.ar/espectaculos/musica/andres-rodriguez-en-el-colon-todo-lo-que-se-hace-se-vende-nid11122024/
Bocca staying in Uruguay: https://www.lanacion.com.ar/espectaculos/danza/julio-bocca-quiero-que-todo-el-mundo-conozca-al-ballet-del-colon-y-llegar-a-ponerlo-entre-los-diez-nid12112024/
Zeniodi staying in Greece: https://www.lanacion.com.ar/espectaculos/musica/de-la-vida-en-atenas-con-sus-mellizos-a-una-gran-proyeccion-internacional-quien-es-zoe-zeniodi-la-nid13122024/
Venezi staying in Italy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=Oejgrt6o9aY-eLtJ&v=Vyx8aFLyIos&feature=youtu.be
As per the “best available person” thing, I guess you are the only one to believe that.
I meant best available to them. People who applied, or considered it when asked. But it is possible Teatro Colon deliberately decided that no Argentinians need apply…is that what you believe?
Grieco and Bocca, what a dynamic duo.
The ones who became famous in Montevideo for selling tickets for Rite of Spring without realizing the orchestra was too big for the smaller pit size they had chosen and ended up having to use a recording.
I feel sorry for everyone in the Colon with an ignorant and arrogant administrator like Grieco. I don’t see this lasting very long.