La Scala has announced that performances from today onwards are cancelled in light of the coronavirus threat. Tonight there was to have been a recital by soprano Aleksandra Kurzak.
Italia has 130 people under observation or ill, and in the Lombardy region, where Milan is the capital, there are 93 cases. The situation has worsened dramatically in the last 48 hours.
Some schools will close, all sporting events and school trips have been cancelled, and until there is a decision by the governing authorities, La Scala has decided to suspend its performances as a precautionary measure.
Information relating to the reprogramming and refunds can be obtained by writing to lascalarisponde@fondazionelascala.it or by calling +39 02 72 003 744 from 9 am until 6 pm.
Graham Spicer is a writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano') about dance, opera, music and photography for people “who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like”. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy.
His scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman's Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the ‘Danza in Italia' column for Dancing Times magazine.
I can only send my best wishes to all in Italy with the hope that this outbreak can shortly be controlled, and prayers for those that are ill.