Riccardo Muti has written an open letter to Primer Minister Giuseppe Conte imploring him to reopen theaters.

In a letter the maestro said, “While I understand your difficult responsibilities in this long and tragic period for our country, and with the urgent need to safeguard the health of our fellow citizens, I am impelled to make a heartfelt appeal. Closing concert halls and theatres is a grave decision. The impoverishment of the mind and spirit is dangerous and also harms physical health. To define a theatrical and musical activity, as I have heard some government representatives say, as ‘superfluous’ is an expression of ignorance, and shows a lack of culture and sensitivity.”

He added, “Such a decision does not take into account the sacrifice and suffering of thousands of artists and workers from all sectors of the performing arts who are insulted by this decision and are left fearful for their futures.”

The letter comes a day after Conte announced the closure of theaters and cinemas due to rising COVID-19 cases in Italy. The country saw a spike of 21,273 cases on Sunday. The latest measures are the harshest since the lockdown in March, which saw Italy as the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here is the entire letter:

Dear President Conte,

While I understand your difficult responsibilities in this long and tragic period for our country, and with the urgent need to safeguard the health of our fellow citizens, I am impelled to make a heartfelt appeal.

Closing concert halls and theatres is a grave decision. The impoverishment of the mind and spirit is dangerous and also harms physical health. To define theatrical and musical activity, as I have heard some government representatives say, as “superfluous” is an expression of ignorance, and shows a lack of culture and sensitivity.

Such a decision does not take into account the sacrifice and suffering of thousands of artists and workers from all sectors of the performing arts who are insulted by this decision and are left fearful for their futures.

I ask you, confident that I’m conveying the thoughts not only of the artists but also of much of the public, to give life back to theatres and musical activities so they can provide the spiritual sustenance without which society is becoming more and more brutalized.

The theatres are governed by people who are well aware of the anti-Covid regulations and the safety measures indicated, and rules have always been meticulously respected.

I hope that you will listen to this appeal,

With warm regards,