Milan, 30 September (LaPresse) – “I wondered how it was possible that there was such resentment over the appointment of a musical director, with vitriolic comments on social media. I can't understand this closed-mindedness without even knowing her”. This was stated in an interview with Corriere della Sera by Nicola Colabianchi, superintendent of La Fenice, regarding the protests following the appointment of Beatrice Venezi as musical director from October 2026 to 2030. ‘I have worked for the good of the Foundation, renewing the image of La Fenice with the choice of a young and talented conductor,’ he said. ‘At La Fenice, I have seen younger people with less training than Venezi. When I was superintendent at the Teatro di Cagliari, Venezi conducted complex operas such as Tosca, Traviata and Favorita and never had any problems with the orchestra or the audience,’ he added. "Many have raised this issue (the political nature of the protests, ed.) and, at this point, I imagine that this is what it is all about. Then there is also the fact that she is a woman and has extra-musical visibility. All these aspects may have had an effect that I still cannot interpret'.