Zubin Mehta leaves hospital – Riccardo Chailly will replace him at La Scala

La Scala has announced that Zubin Mehta was discharged from the hospital this afternoon in good health.

However, the fatigue of the past few days means that he needs a few days' rest as a precaution. As a result, Mehta will not conduct Salome, which is directed by Damiano Michieletto and will be broadcast on Saturday 20 February on Rai5, Radio3 and Rai Play in Italy. The theatre's Music Director Riccardo Chailly will take the podium in his place.

84-year-old Mehta was taken to hospital after feeling unwell during a rehearsal at La Scala on Saturday. Initial reports suggested it was caused by work pressure.

The theatre writes: “Teatro alla Scala affectionately wishes Maestro Zubin Mehta a speedy recovery and looks forward to seeing him back on the podium as soon as possible.”

Photos: Riccardo Chailly and Zubin Mehta © Brescia Amisano, Teatro alla Scala

Gramilano( Editor )

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.