Overview
- The Milan house launched its 2025 season on Dec. 7 with Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District, marking 50 years since Shostakovich’s death.
- Music director Riccardo Chailly conducts a new production by Vasily Barkhatov, who relocates the story to a 1950s urban Russia.
- American soprano Sara Jakubiak makes her La Scala debut as Katerina, joined by Yevgeny Akimov and Najmiddin Mavlyanov.
- General manager Fortunato Ortombina defends presenting Russian repertoire, arguing that music should be kept separate from ideology.
- Authorities moved a planned +Europa demonstration away from the theater for security as the sold-out gala of about 2,000 attendees was projected to bring in roughly €2.8 million with tickets up to €3,200.