MILAN, Dec 7 (Reuters) – Milan’s La Scala theatre opened its 2022-2023 opera season on Wednesday with a gala efficiency of the Russian work “Boris Godunov” as protesters towards the Ukrainian battle demonstrated outdoors the venue.
The opera gained a 13-minute ovation from an viewers that included Italy’s new Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, President Sergio Mattarella and the European Fee head Ursula von der Leyen.
Meloni mentioned politics and tradition ought to be saved separate when requested about protests over the selection of the Russian work, a view additionally expressed by Mattarella and von der Leyen.
“We have now nothing towards the Russian individuals, towards Russian historical past, towards Russian tradition,” Meloni advised reporters earlier than the efficiency.
“We’re towards the political selection of those that have invaded a sovereign nation,” she added.
Round 20 individuals outdoors the theatre waved the blue and yellow Ukrainian flag and held up placards denouncing Russian President Vladimir Putin for the invasion of Ukraine in February.
“Russia should be remoted. We wish to be free,” mentioned Tatiana Slyusarenko, who’s initially from the Ukrainian city of Irpin and has been dwelling in Italy since 2005.
She questioned why La Scala had not modified its programme over the 9 months for the reason that battle started.
“Russian tradition solely when the battle is over,” learn one of many placards.
CLIMATE PROTEST
La Scala creative director Dominique Meyer final month defended its choice to stage the work, written by Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky within the nineteenth century.
Meyer mentioned the opera had been chosen three years in the past and didn’t represent pro-Putin propaganda.
“If the theatre had cancelled the opera it might have been a really unhealthy second for tradition,” mentioned former La Scala principal dancer Roberto Bolle, who was among the many viewers.
“Tradition should prevail over every part,” he added.
Local weather-change activists had earlier thrown paint on the entrance to the famed opera home forward of the opening evening.
The three-hour opera, based mostly on a play by Russian author Alexander Pushkin, recounts the story of Tsar Boris Godunov who went mad and died overwhelmed by guilt over the killing of a younger rival for the throne within the late sixteenth century.
Danish director Kasper Holten staged the story in a dismal however opulent house with the singers carrying each modern and interval costumes.
Russian bass Ildar Abdrazakov took the lead function as Godunov whereas Russian soprano Anna Denisova was Kseniya, his daughter.
Further reporting by Alvise Armellini in Rome
Modifying by Crispian Balmer and Keith Weir
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