The former director of La Fenice Opera in Venice, Fortunato Ortombina, is to become the new artistic director of La Scala in Milan, one of the most famous opera houses in the world.
The board of directors, chaired by Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala, announced on Tuesday that the 63-year-old will take over from the current head of La Scala, Dominique Meyer, in August next year.
The contract of the French-born Meyer, which would have expired at the end of February 2025, will be extended by a few months, the board said, adding that a transitional period has been agreed during which the two men will work together.
The appontment means that La Scala will have an Italian artistic director for the first time since 2005. It was finalized in principle several weeks ago.
However, there had recently been some back and forth between those responsible for La Scala in Milan and the right-wing government in Rome regarding the appointment.
Ortombina has been at the helm of La Fenice since 2017. However, he also has his own experience at La Scala, having been artistic director there from 2003 to 2005.
Meyer, who is 68, has been at the helm of La Scala since May 2020. In August 2025 he is due to reach the age limit of 70 set by the Italian government for the management of opera houses and other cultural institutions.