Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Announces Conductor Change for ‘Carmina Burana’

The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced a conductor change for its upcoming performance of “Carmina Burana.” The company said, “We would like to inform the kind audience that the ‘Carmina Burana’ performance, scheduled for July 13, 2023, in the Zubin Mehta Hall, will be conducted by maestro Andrea Battistoni, replacing maestro Paolo Carignani.” Battistoni has conducted at the Bayerische Staatsoper, {…}

Police Confiscates Over €126,000 from Alexander Pereira

Police has confiscated over €126,000 from Alexander Pereira. Per Platea and Puls 24, the police confiscated the euros during an investigation into embezzlement of money during Pereira’s time as general director of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. Per the reports, Pereira used the foundation’s credit card “for private non-contractual expenses,” including relocations, hotel stays, and plane or helicopters flights. Moreover, Pereira {…}

Thirteen Singers Consider Legal Action Against Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

Thirteen singers are considering legal action against the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino after the company canceled a production of “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg” just six weeks before rehearsals. In a letter to cast members dated March 21, 2023, Maggio wrote of the “situation of unpredictable emergency’ facing the Foundation stating ‘production costs (of Die Meistersinger) are no longer sustainable for the {…}

Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Announces New Cast Change for ‘Otello’

The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced a cast change for its production of Verdi’s “Otello.” The company that the role of Desdemona will be performed by Zarina Abaeva replacing the originally announced Anastasia Bartoli. Abaeva has performed at the Perm Opera and Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, among others. Her repertoire includes the music of Puccini, Tchaikovsky, Poulenc, Offenbach, Bizet, and Verdi. The {…}

Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Announces Opera Change for 85th Festival

The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced a change to its upcoming festival. The company said that it would replace Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg” with Verdi’s “Falstaff.” Daniele Gatti will conduct the masterpiece in Sven-Eric Bechtolf’s 2021 production with a cast that includes Michael Volle (Falstaff), Markus Werba (Ford), and Claudia Huckle (Meg Page), who were already scheduled for “Meistersinger.” {…}

Civil Servant Onofrio Cutaia Appointed to Run Maggio Musicale

Civil servant, Onofrio Cutaia, has been appointed to manage Florence’s opera house after the sudden departure of Alexander Pereira as superintendent amid an ongoing fraud case. Authorities are investigating Pereira regarding the use of the company’s credit card. The former superintendent has denied any wrongdoing, claiming all transactions were legitimate. Cutaia is an executive of the Ministry of Culture, but it remains {…}