MILAN (AP) – La Scala offers some salve to old wounds with an exhibit on the contributions of its long-time music director Riccardo Muti, whose 19-year tenure ended abruptly in 2005 amid backstage turmoil.
Curator Lorenzo Arruga said the exhibit is a “gesture of gratitude toward the maestro” as he turns 75 next month.
Muti will preview the show later Sunday, marking his first time visiting the theater since his dramatic departure. His musical return will come next January, conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, where he is music director.
The exhibit comprises photographs, recordings and videos that show Muti’s influence on the fabled theater.
“The exhibit doesn’t want to document his work at La Scala, which is so vast, wide-ranging and important,” Arruga said. “We are trying to enlighten the visitor as to why Muti is a great artist and why he is so loved.”
Muti’s contributions to La Scala included reviving popular masterpieces like Verdi’s trilogy of “Rigoletto,” ”Il Trovatore” and “La Traviata” as well as the Mozart-Da Ponte trilogy and Beethoven’s nine symphonies, Arruga said.
“Then there is all that is not measurable, like his charisma and imagination,” he said.
La Scala spokesman Paolo Besana said the exhibit was requested by general manager Alexandra Pereira and principal conductor Riccardo Chailly “as a moment of reconciliation after many years.”
It also reflects Pereira and Chailly’s desire to duly recognize all the artists who have been helped contribute to La Scala’s reputation in the music world, Besana said. He noted that Daniel Barenboim, La Scala’s music director from 2011-2014, will conduct the Philharmonic next season.
“We are trying to make regular meetings with artists who did and do make La Scala great,” Besana said.