La Scala’s push for greater gender equality

La Scala's Indendant, Dominique Meyer, has chosen Susanna Mälkki to conduct the opera house's orchestra for a free streamed concert on Friday 23 April at 20.00 CET. She will conduct a Strauss, Ravel and Beethoven programme (see below).

This Covid moment serves to put a number of things in place, and I think we need to work on gender equality, on salaries, and on professional treatment.

He wants to create a code of conduct that will protect the rights of female workers:

I would like it to be ready before the summer.

We have to make young people feel that if they have talent, they have a chance. Progress has been made and I don't see any opposition from orchestras when women are on the podium.

We only have two women on the management committee, and of course we can't fire the men who occupy posts now, but when there is a vacancy, the female presence will hopefully increase in the hierarchy of the theatre.

Three woman in various sectors of the theatre are compiling information on whether there are weaknesses which might provoke #MeToo moments.

There is a lack of rules in many areas of the performing arts and it is prudent to get organised.

Friday 23 April 2021 – 20.00 CET
Live streaming on La Scala's Facebook and YouTube channels

Symphonic concert with Teatro Alla Scala Orchestra
Susanna Mälkki, conductor

 Richard Strauss
Serenade in E flat major Op. 7 for wind instruments

Maurice Ravel
Ma mère l'oye

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21

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.