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La Fenice Workers Stage Silent Pin Protest at Televised New Year’s Concert Over Venezi Appointment

Union leaders demand the appointment be revoked, pressing for superintendent Nicola Colabianchi’s resignation.

Overview

  • Orchestra, chorus, and staff wore a gold pin featuring a treble clef with a heart and handed it to audience members entering the theater, with conductor Michele Mariotti also wearing it.
  • The protest unfolded during Rai’s broadcast of the New Year’s Concert, giving nationwide visibility to the dispute.
  • Union representatives reiterated demands to withdraw Beatrice Venezi’s nomination and to restart the selection process, alongside calls for Nicola Colabianchi to step down.
  • Superintendent Colabianchi described courteous forms of protest as legitimate and expressed hope for dialogue leading to shared decisions.
  • Venice mayor Luigi Brugnaro acknowledged the action, said he wants to see Venezi conduct and believes she may merit the role, and the customary pre-concert mayoral greeting did not take place.