MILAN (AP) – Daniel Barenboim says his main reason for leaving La Scala is to develop an academy for his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra of Israeli and Palestinian musicians.
Barenboim’s engagement at the Milanese opera house ends next month with Beethoven’s “Fidelio,” which opens the season Dec. 7, and a cycle of piano sonatas, closing what he called “nine wonderful years.”
The Israeli-Argentinian arrived at La Scala in 2005 as principal guest conductor and took the role of musical director in 2011, while maintaining his role as musical director at the Berlin Staatsoper and at the helm of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra. He will be replaced by Riccardo Chailly.
Barenboim said Friday that the West-Eastern Divan academy will open in Berlin in 2016.