Monday's concert had been arranged before Muti's resignation
|
World-famous conductor Riccardo Muti, who resigned as director of La Scala in April, made an emotional return to the Milanese opera house on Monday.
But it was only for one night to lead the Vienna Philharmonic in a concert organised prior to his departure.
Audience members threw flowers from the balcony of the theatre, while others signed a petition asking him to return.
Hundreds more watched the performance on a giant screen set up in a shopping centre in the Italian city.
Mr Muti resigned on 2 April citing "hostility" from members of staff, many of whom had objected to his firing of a senior La Scala official in February.
The opera house appointed his successor, Frenchman Stephane Lissner, three weeks later.
Muti's performance, however, is a sign that he will not be a stranger to the opera house where he served as musical director for 19 years.
"There was a feeling of hope that the maestro will return to conduct at La Scala," said a spokeswoman.
Monday's performance included Haydn's Symphony No 94 in G Major, known as the Surprise Symphony, and ended with the overture to Verdi's opera The Force of Destiny (La Forza del Destino).
Home
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~46~RS~)
BBC NEWS CHANNEL
News services
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
