Well finally the Expo-season 2014–2015 at La Scala has been announced, with Alexander Pereira sitting chummily next to the smiling Milan mayor, Giuliano Pisapia. After the intrigue around the programming which caused the press conference to announce plans for the new season to be shelved, Pereira has accepted the terms to stay as the head of La Scala only until the end of next year. Though, of course, in more than a year’s time it may be a case of forgive and forget.
There will be more than 100 events during the six months when Milan hosts the World Expo. For the first time, scaling of ticket prices has been introduced with higher prices for repertory operas, and lower prices by 50% for contemporary works.
Fidelio will open the season on the city’s Saint’s Day, 7 December, with Daniel Barenboim in the pit and Deborah Warner directing. It will be followed by another 16 operas — unheard of in this house which this year produced a more normal 10 operas — with 7 ballets, concerts, recitals, and new projects for children and low-cost events.
Turandot will open the programme for the Expo, part of a new cycle of Puccini operas, all of which will be conducted Riccardo Chailly, who becomes the theatre’s Principal Conductor from 1 January 2015 and will become the Musical Director in 2017.… [continue reading]
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