(Photo ©Michele Crosera)

The Teatro alla Scala has announced that Fortunato Ortombina will be its next General Director. He takes over in September.

The news had been rumored last month, but there was no official confirmation from either the government or company proper.

He takes over for Dominque Meyer, who has been at the helm of the famed opera institution since 2020. Ortombina previously served as coordinator of the theater’s artistic direction from 2003-2007 before becoming the artistic director at La Fenice. In 2017, he took over as general director of La Fenice.

“After three foreign general directors, Stéphane Lissner, Alexander Pereira and Dominique Meyer, an Italian returns to La Scala,” said Italy’s culture minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, per The New York Times, in a statement.

Per the report, Ortombina will consult with the board and orchestra about selecting a new music director to replace Riccardo Chailly, who is set to depart from his position after 2026. Presumably, the board expressed interest in Daniele Gatti, the current music director of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.

Meyer will stay on until August 1, 2025 as his contract runs through Feb. 28, 2025.