Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella will not be in attendance at the opening night of the Teatro alla Scala.

The president has been present throughout the past years at the opening night and two years ago received a standing ovation as well as a request for an “encore” from the spectators.

It was also announced that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will also not be present at the opening night after having attended last season’s opening of “Boris Godunov.”

Instead, the Senate President Ignazio La Russa and Mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala will be present alongside the Governor of Lombardy Attilio Fontana. The Minister of Infrastructure Matteo Salvini and Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano will also be present.

“Don Carlo” opens on Dec. 7 and will star Anna Netrebko, Elina Garanca, Luca Salsi, Michele Pertusi, and Francesco Meli. Riccardo Chailly conducts the production by Lluís Pasqual.