Conductor Riccardo Muti Withdraws From Rome Opera Performances

Riccardo Muti will not conduct two operas scheduled for the upcoming season at the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma. He cites "recent, persistent problems" at thw theater. The opera's general manager Carlo Fuortes announced the split on Sunday, citing a personal letter by the maestro stating that conditions at the theater did not "guarantee the serenity I need to ensure the success of the performances."

Muti was scheduled to open the season with Verdi's "Aida" in November and also conduct Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro" next spring.

Fuortes and the mayor of Rome, Ignazio Marino, said in a statement issued Sunday that Mr. Muti's decision had been influenced by instability at the theater, "caused by continuous protests, internal conflict and months-long strikes that led to the cancellation of several performances," inconveniencing people both in Italy and abroad who had bought tickets.

In his letter, Muti expressed his "sadness and disappointment in the face of many episodes." A theater spokesman said it was unclear whether Mr. Muti would also decline his post as honorary lifetime conductor of the theater.

Fuortes was named general manager last December, taking over a failed administration that had put the theater into debt and spurred tensions with some of the theater's unions. On Monday, one union issued a statement asking Muti to reconsider his decision, and expressed concerns that his departure was a further sign of the government's declining support for opera in Italy.

In its statement, the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma expressed the hope that once the problems at the theater had been resolved, Mr. Muti would return to conduct there.

Read the original article here.

Photo Courtesy of Riccardo Muti's Website

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