“We must overcome the crisis at La Fenice without coercion or blackmail.”
[The following is the text of an open letter written by four former mayors of Venice, published in various news outlets, regarding the controversy over the appointment of Beatrice Venezi as Musical Director of Teatro La Fenice, a controversy that has led to public demonstrations by the Orchestra and Chorus, as well as the sudden refusal to pay La Fenice staff and musicians their annual supplement.]
November 29, 2025
“We are writing to express our deep concern about the crisis that has unexpectedly afflicted the Teatro La Fenice for several months, the theater to which each of us dedicated our attention and energy, chairing its Foundation during our respective terms as Mayor of Venice.
We are concerned about an absurd, self-inflicted crisis that could have easily been avoided if only the delicate choice of musical director had been made based on common sense criteria, established in the rules and practices of all the world’s great theaters. These rules and practices require that the conductor and orchestra be allowed to get to know each other, and to work together until a climate of mutual respect is established before entrusting their fate to one or the other, or vice versa. This rule has always been applied even to world-renowned conductors who have not hesitated to resign in the face of the orchestra’s lack of confidence.
The imperious decision taken at La Fenice – contrary to the Superintendent’s announcement that he would respect the rules and procedures, and that they would be applied to a shortlist of candidates – to appoint Beatrice Venezi as Music Director could not fail to spark a reaction from the Orchestra and Chorus, defending their right and duty to guarantee, and continue to guarantee, the artistic quality of their work: the true heritage of the Theatre.
Artistic quality achieved through many years of work, which – fortunately for the Theater and the city – have brought La Fenice to the levels of excellence recognized even just recently with the performance of “La Clemenza di Tito” under the direction of Maestro Ivor Bolton: the first event on the 2025-26 season program, bequeathed by Superintendent Ortombina.
The root of the crisis lies in the breakdown in the process of selecting musical directors – a form that is full of substance – that no amount of cover, not even from the Board of Directors, nor even from Minister Giuli, can authoritatively remedy.
The crisis can only be resolved by starting over and respecting the rules.
Maintaining the level of excellence of the Teatro La Fenice requires this.
Venice requires this, which has in La Fenice one of the hallmarks of the great city it wishes to continue to be.
In the meantime, it is essential that the parties involved – the Management of La Fenice, on the one hand, and the Orchestra, Chorus, and all workers, on the other – manage the discussions in a way that is respectful of each other’s legitimate positions.
In this regard, we must thank the workers at La Fenice for responsibly not striking on November 20th, which marked the opening of the 2025-26 opera season.
However, the decision by La Fenice management to suspend the payment of the 2025 supplemental allowance to the theater’s employees is not admirable: the lack of economic or financial justification and the timing of its implementation appear to be unjustified retaliation. We urge this decision to be reviewed as soon as possible to free everyone from any suspicion of blackmail and to reopen the path to the necessary dialogue.”
Venice, November 29, 2025
Ugo Bergamo, Massimo Cacciari, Paolo Costa, Giorgio Orsoni
Campaign For A Living Venice 