Milan, 8 December – La Scala’s 2011-2012 season got off to a stunning start with a warmly received premiere of a production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni on Wednesday evening.The show, conducted by the acclaimed Argentinian Daniel Barenboim and directed by Robert Carsen, was greeted by a 11-minute standing ovation during which the performers were showered with flowers. Premier Mario Monti and President Giorgio Napolitano were part of the enthralled audience.
Outside demonstrators jeered the well-heeled as the arrived at the opera house, protesting against the tough budget Monti’s emergency government presented on Sunday in a bid to steer out out of its debt crisis.
La Scala, one of the world’s most prestigious opera house, was founded in 1778 and has hosted some of the world’s finest singers and dancers for more than 200 years. For its 2011-2012 season, La Scala will stage 13 operas and six ballets and tour Russia, Switzerland and Austria. photo: Italian President Giorgio Napolitano with his wife at La Scala. (ANSA)
