Chaos at the Fenice, the choice of Venezi ratified: a head-on clash with the unions

The Teatro La Fenice in Venice has officially announced the appointment of Beatrice Venezi as music director. Starting from October 2026, and for a four-year term, the musician will lead the orchestra of the prestigious Venetian theater, a decision ratified today by the Board of Directors chaired by Mayor Luigi Brugnaro.

The motivations of the superintendent

The superintendent Nicola Colabianchi, in a detailed report, wanted to justify the choice by emphasizing the need for a "sense of institutional responsibility" in light of the media attention surrounding the matter. For Colabianchi, entrusting the position to a 36-year-old musician represents a clear "investment in the future", aimed at creating continuity through the involvement of a new generation of conductors.

On the artistic front, the superintendent defended Venezi's profile — a graduate of the Conservatorio di Milano — describing it as consistent with the identity of La Fenice due to a solid education based on the structural analysis of musical text. Beyond the symbolic value related to the promotion of female presence in top roles in the sector, Colabianchi highlighted the institutional aspect: the music director, in the current landscape, is called to be not only an interpreter but also a point of reference for dialogue with internal structures and for the image of the Theater.

The protest of the staff

The ratification today does not put an end to the climate of conflict that has accompanied the appointment since its announcement last autumn. The staff of the Theater had immediately expressed strong concerns, questioning both the methods of designation — deemed lacking in consultation and transparency — and the adequacy of Venezi's curriculum in relation to the tradition of her predecessors.

The reaction of the union was clear. The CGIL of Venice harshly criticized the actions of Mayor Brugnaro, accusing him of having acted with an authoritarian approach rather than an institutional one. "When a divisive appointment is forced without seeking dialogue — stated the union — a head-on clash is deliberately sought, regardless of the damage caused to the Gran Teatro La Fenice." Despite the protests that have marked the last few months, the theater's governance has confirmed the course taken, marking a definitive turning point in the artistic management of the institution.