26 April, 2026 By Moto Perpetuo Staff
The Fondazione Teatro La Fenice has officially announced the immediate termination of all future contracts and collaborations with conductor Beatrice Venezi. The decision, effective immediately, nullifies her appointment as music director, which was set to begin in October 2026.
According to a statement issued by superintendent Nicola Colabianchi, the move was triggered by “repeated and grave public statements” made by Venezi that the foundation deemed “offensive and detrimental” to the artistic and professional standing of the institution and its orchestra.
Interview with La Nación
The final catalyst for the termination was an interview published in the Argentine newspaper La Nación. In the article, Venezi made several pointed remarks about the internal culture of the Venetian opera house, including accusations of nepotismo. She claimed that the orchestra functions as a system where positions are passed down practically “from father to son.”
Colabianchi clarified that the foundation does not concur with her judgments and finds them “incompatible with the principles of protection and respect due to the members of the orchestra.”
History of friction
The firing ends a period of intense volatility for the theater. Since her initial designation in September 2025, the house has been in a “permanent state of agitation.” Orchestra and staff unions staged multiple strikes and protests, including the cancellation of the season-opening performance of Wozzeck in late 2025.
Critics frequently pointed to Venezi’s close relationship with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her previous role as a consultant for the Ministry of Culture as primary reasons for her appointment, rather than her professional résumé. Even after the foundation formally confirmed her contract in March 2026, several board members resigned in protest.
Reaction at the theater
The news reached the theater during the closing performance of Wagner’s Lohengrin this afternoon. As documented by L’Ape musicale, the announcement sparked an immediate reaction within the hall. Video footage from the event shows the audience breaking into cheers and sustained applause upon learning of the cancellation of Venezi’s appointment, a moment the publication described as the public “exulting” at the news.
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