The Teatro La Fenice has come under fire for hiring Beatrice Venzi as the new Music Director.

Workers announced on Friday that they will go on a permanent strike against this week’s appointment due Venzi’s close relationship to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government.

According to Ansa.it, the workers  declared “a permanent state of strike” and said they “reserve the right to undertake all necessary union action—including strikes, demonstrations, and sit-ins—to defend the professionalism of its artists and respect for democratic rules in the management of the Foundation.”

The workers are demanding “the immediate revocation of Beatrice Venezi’s appointment as music director, which occurred in a manner and manner that violated every principle of dialogue and transparency,” according to a statement from the union’s representatives.

The news comes after the orchestra members sent a letter to Superintendent Nicola Colabianchi requesting “the revocation of the appointment of Director Beatrice Venezi.”The letter argued that Venzi has never conducted an opera or concert at the Teatro La Fenice, and her curriculum is minimal in comparison to other conductors. 

Conductor and pianist Venezi was appointed new musical director of La Fenice this week and was unanimously approved by the foundation’s president. Venezi is scheduled to take over in Oct. 2026, with a term extending until March 2030.

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