An unsigned article by the AFP on Thursday (10/13) reports, “World-famous conductor Daniel Barenboim will take up the post of musical director at Italy’s world-renowned La Scala opera house from December until the end of 2016, the Milan theater said on Thursday. The Israeli-Argentinian musician will open the 2011-2012 season by directing Mozart’s Don Giovanni, staged by Canadian Robert Carsen. Barenboim will spend 15 weeks a year at La Scala, where he is already principal guest conductor. La Scala’s former music director Riccardo Muti stepped down from the post in 2005 after 20 years following a blazing row over artistic differences with management and the position had remained vacant since then. Since Muti’s departure, Barenboim has held the honorary title of ‘Maestro of La Scala,’ producing at least two operas a year. The Milan opera house’s artistic director, Frenchman Stéphane Lissner, said the theater was pleased to strengthen further ‘a close relationship with one of the biggest orchestral directors of our time.’”
Posted October 14, 2011
