La Fenice Theater in Venice Parts Ways with New Music Director Amid Prolonged Protests

MILAN – Venice’s iconic La Fenice opera house has decided to sever its relationship with its soon-to-be music director, who has connections to Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. This decision comes after a prolonged period of protests from the opera house’s musicians.

The theater’s foundation announced on Sunday that General Manager Nicola Colabianchi attributed the decision to end the collaboration with Beatrice Venezi to her “repeated and serious public statements that were deemed offensive and damaging” to both the theater and its orchestra.

Italy’s Culture Minister, Alessandro Giuli, expressed his hope that this decision would help resolve any “misunderstandings, tensions, and manipulations” that had arisen during Venezi’s selection process.

Musicians, singers, and stage crew at the opera house had been strongly opposed to her appointment, criticizing the process for its lack of transparency and questioning Venezi’s experience and qualifications necessary for such a prestigious role.

Their protests escalated to include a strike, which led to the cancellation of a performance, and a march through Venice. This protest was supported by workers from other opera houses, highlighting broader concerns about potential political influence in artistic endeavors.

The audience and orchestra erupted in applause during a performance Sunday night at the news that Venezi’s appointment had been blocked, according to video circulated by Italian media.

Colabianchi, who appointed Venezi on Sept. 22, initially defended the move, saying her youth and dynamism would attract a younger audience to the theater. Giuli had also supported the move.

Venezi, 36, was appointed as an adviser to the culture minister after Meloni came to power in 2022. She previously was principal conductor of the Nuova Orchestra Scarlatti Young and guest conductor of the Orchestra della Toscana, and has conducted internationally, including in Armenia, Uruguay and Argentina.