Venice’s La Fenice Opera Turmoil Exposes Political Interference and Disregard for Artistic Integrity

The famed Venetian opera house La Fenice, a proud symbol of Italy’s rich cultural heritage, now finds itself at the center of a conflict that highlights a worrying trend: political affiliations overriding merit and tradition. The appointment of 35-year-old Beatrice Venezi—a conductor closely linked to Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni’s far-right circle—has ignited fierce opposition from orchestra members and unions who claim their voices were ignored. Does political allegiance trump centuries of artistic legacy? La Fenice is no ordinary theater; its stage once hosted legends like Toscanini and Muti. Yet, management chose to bypass the essential collaborative process with musicians, selecting...