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Venice opera house fires incoming music director who made nepotism claims
TL;DR
Teatro La Fenice in Venice has fired incoming music director Beatrice Venezi after she claimed the opera house's hiring practices were nepotistic. Venezi was set to be the first female music director but faced backlash for her comments on the organization's resistance to change.
Key points
- Teatro La Fenice fired Beatrice Venezi as music director
- Venezi claimed hiring practices were nepotistic
- She was to be the first female music director
Mentioned in this story
Teatro La FeniceBeatrice Venezi
Teatro La Fenice, the prestigious Venice opera house, has fired its incoming music director after she insinuated its hiring practices were nepotistic, with jobs “practically passed down from father to son”.
After months of controversy over the appointment of Beatrice Venezi, La Fenice Foundation said on Sunday it had decided to “cancel all future collaborations” with the 36-year-old conductor and pianist.
Venezi, who was to become the theatre’s first female music director, said in a newspaper interview that La Fenice’s bosses were afraid because she was young, female and wanted to bring about change.
“I don’t have any godfathers, that’s the difference,” she told the Argentinian newspaper, La Nacion. “I don’t come from a family of musicians, and this is an orchestra where positions are practically passed down from father to son.”
Orchestra members “never leave the island” of Venice, Venezi added, and didn’t know how to attract younger audiences. “They’re afraid of change, of renewal,” she said.
La Fenice Foundation said Venezi’s “repeated public statements” were “offensive and detrimental to the artistic and professional value” of the opera house and its orchestra.
The musician previously accused La Fenice’s management of being “anarchic” and too influenced by unions, and said season ticket holders were all “over 80”.
Her appointment last September was strongly opposed by La Fenice’s orchestra musicians and staff, who voted to strike over the matter. They claimed she did not have enough experience for the high-profile position and was picked only because of her close connections with Italy’s far-right government, headed by Giorgia Meloni.
A protest against the appointment of Beatrice Venezi in Venice last November. Photograph: Paola Garbuio/AP
Q&A
Why was Beatrice Venezi fired from Teatro La Fenice?
Beatrice Venezi was fired after insinuating that the opera house's hiring practices were nepotistic, claiming jobs were often passed down within families.
What did Beatrice Venezi say about the orchestra's culture?
Venezi stated that the orchestra members are resistant to change and do not know how to attract younger audiences, indicating a lack of innovation.
What significance does Beatrice Venezi's appointment hold?
Her appointment was significant as she was set to become the first female music director at Teatro La Fenice, marking a potential shift in the traditionally male-dominated field.
