The new Board of Directors of La Scala is ready: Foa, Rizzoli and Barbara Berlusconi among the nine Members for the period 2025-2028

The composition of the new has been completed Board of Directors of the Teatro alla Scala of Milano, who will officially take office on 17 February 2025. Among the new members, the names of stand out: Marcello Foa e Melania Rizzoli, appointed by the Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli for the government. With their appointments, the new Board of Directors presents itself with a renewed team, ready to face important challenges for one of the most prestigious theatres in the world.

The new members 

Il new Board of Directors will be chaired by the mayor di Milano, Giuseppe Sala, and will be composed of nine members. Among the new members, also the entrepreneur Diana Bracco, appointed by the Chamber of Commerce, and Barbara Berlusconi, designated by Lombardy region. The president emeritus of Intesa Sanpaolo remains confirmed John Bazoli (for Cariplo Foundation), Claudio DeScalzi, CEO of Eni, e Giacomo Campora, CEO and General Manager of Allianz.

Among those absent from the new board is Francis Micheli, a historic member of the council, who was not reconfirmed.

The new Council between challenges and priorities

Among the main dossiers on the table of the new Council, there is the management of the Financial statement of the Foundation, but also the appointment of key figures for the theatre. One of the priorities will be to choose the new dance director, for which a possible interim by Frédéric Olivieri, awaiting the arrival of Roberto bolle.

Equally important will be the appointment of the new music director, a role for which the name of Daniele Gatti, although the recent health problems of the current director, Riccardo Chailly, make its further extension less likely.

The new superintendent Fortunato Ortombina, who succeeds Dominique Meyer, will have to work closely with the Board of Directors to to guarantee the economic and artistic stability of the theatre.

Marcello Foa and Melania Rizzoli: the government representatives

Marcello Foa, journalist, writer and former president of Rai from 2018 to 2021, said he was honored to join the board of directors of La Scala. “It is the greatest opera house in the world and represents the essence of Italian culture. It is a precious asset that must be further enhanced”, Foa underlined, recalling the support given to La Scala during the pandemic.

The Melania Rizzoli, doctor and writer, expressed great enthusiasm for the new assignment, underlining the prestige and international importance of the Theatre. Rizzoli was vice president of the Lombardy Region and a member of parliament for the People of Freedom party.

Comments and reactions from the region

The governor of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana, expressed satisfaction with the appointments, defining Foa and Rizzoli “two excellent choices, capable, prepared and concrete people”. The Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli, also sent a message to the new councilors: “good work in an institution that is a symbol of Italianness and culture in the world”.

The new Council will take office on Monday 17 February and will have the task of guiding the Teatro alla Scala for the five-year period 2025-2028, a crucial period for maintaining the theatre's high international reputation and addressing changes in the cultural sector.