Fabio Luisi will step down as Music Director of the Festival della Valle d’Itria and will assume the position of Music Director Emeritus.

The conductor announced the news following the end of the of the 52nd season. In a statement he said, “I participated in the Festival for the first time in 1981 and I consider it like a family. I believe the time has come to look to the future and undertake profound renewal, which is why I have decided to step down from my role and office as Music Director and gratefully accept the prestigious appointment of Music Director Emeritus. I thank President Michele Punzi, Artistic Director Silvia Colasanti, Rino Carrieri, Director of the Paolo Grassi Foundation, and all the Festival staff, without whom I would not be who I am, musically and personally.”

Punzi added, “This year also marks the close of a fundamental chapter in our history. Maestro Fabio Luisi is stepping down as the Festival’s Music Director. At the same time, as we look to the future of our Festival, I had the honor—though with understandable emotion—of offering him the role of Music Director Emeritus of the Festival della Valle d’Itria. I am delighted to say that my friend Fabio enthusiastically accepted the proposal, with the promise of soon returning to grace the evenings of Martina Franca with his artistic sensitivity. Martina Franca is, and always will be, his home.”

Luisi was appointed Musical Director of the Festival della Valle d’Itria during the 41st edition. He is the Music Director of the Dallas Symphony and has held positions with the Zurich Opera, Metropolitan Opera, Vienna Symphony, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, and Vienna’s Tonkünstler-Orchester, among many others.

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