Maestro Riccardo Muti Returns to Italy

Maestro Riccardo Muti Returns to Italy ... if only Briefly!

The world renowned musical conductor, Riccardo Muti, has once again accepted to return to his homeland Italy in April 2012, to conduct a series of concerts. He will perform with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra of which he is now Director.  In fact, Maestro Muti, ex- musical Director of La Scala in Milan who was recently named lifetime Honorary Director of the Opera Theater in Rome has accepted to open his Italian Concert series here in the capital, despite his strong disapproval for the major funding cuts to the arts. This is the same Riccardo Muti, who in 2011, during a presentation of Nabucco at the Opera Theater in Rome, lead an anti-government protest demanding that the funding be reinstated. He has argued that Italy, known worldwide as the cradle of art and culture, is already seeing an exodus of talent and intellect from its shores.

His disgust with politicians who have relegated culture to a secondary position is what initially fueled the maestro’s decision to abandon Italy, and to accept a Directorial position in the USA. He has now finally agreed to return to Rome for a series of concerts after receiving a very heartwarming letter from the Opera Theater of Rome’s musicians asking for his esteemed presence once again. Although it will only be a brief first stop on this Italian tour, hopefully Italy will be able to lure him back for good….. one day. For his Italian Concerts series Program please click onto www.riccardomuti.com