Venice’s Teatro La Fenice has cancelled this week’s performance of Berg’s Wozzeck, in a strike action in protest over the appointment of Beatrice Venezi as Music Director.
Venezi, due to start her four-year term in 2026, is close with prime minister Giorgia Meloni, previously acting as advisor to the culture ministry. Venezi has appeared at right-wing governing party Fratelli d’Italia events, and was given an award by the party.
An open letter issued by the orchestra’s musicians aired their objections, stating that Venezi “was never mentioned as a possible candidate for a top role such as Music Director”, adding “Conductor Venezi has never conducted an opera or a public symphonic concert at La Fenice.”
“Venezi has never conducted at major international opera houses,” the letter continues, “nor does her name appear on the programs of the most important international music festivals.”
Venezi is no stranger to controversy, with protesters shouting “No fascists at the opera” in 2023, at a year-end concert at Nice Opera in the south of France.
Beatrice is the daughter of Gabriele Venezi, a political leader of the neo-fascist Forza Nuova party in the 2000s, and former candidate for mayor of Lucca.
In a 2023 interview, Beatrice responded to questions concerning her familial associations with neo-fascism. “He influenced me,” she said, of her father. “But in a different way than you imagine. I come from a very close-knit family that shared conservative values."
Responding to the open letter, Venezi was defended by Teatro La Fenice’s director Nicola Colabianchi, who said she had been appointed because “she is a very good conductor, and because she is a woman and already respected internationally at only 35”.
Teatro La Fenice’s performances of Wozzeck, with music director Markus Stenz, the main role sung by Roberto de Candia, will resume from 19th October.
