Overview
- The San Ambrosio gala launched with Shostakovich’s once-censored opera, drawing a prolonged ovation from the audience.
- Riccardo Chailly led the performance in his final opening night at the house, with Myung-Whun Chung due to succeed next season.
- American soprano Sara Jakubiak made her La Scala debut in the title role under Vasily Barkhatov’s production, reset in a 1950s urban Russia with a personal, not political, focus.
- Superintendent Fortunato Ortombina defended presenting Russian repertoire, arguing that music rises above ideological conflicts.
- Authorities relocated a +Europa peace rally for security reasons, and local reports cited record receipts of about €2.6 million for the premiere and scheduled performances.