In an interview with the Corriere della sera’s di Giuseppina Manin, Luisi said,
In Italy, you can work, and work well. Yes, it’s true that the opera companies are in difficulty, but the number of productions are growing and the audience as well. The attitude is changing, and finally there are less political appointments and more based on competence and ability. Certainly, old habits die hard, but to restore vitality to our theatres, we must return to principles. As a Chinese proverb says, “It doesn’t matter whether the cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice”.Much of Luisi’s work has been in the US where private sector funding is the norm.
But private sponsors don’t give the security of continuity. Many theatres in the States are suffering because the sponsors are leaving. The State must give stability to the arts.Luisi has worked extensively at La Scala, having conducted several operas and many concerts to conduct the Filarmonica della Scala in a Strauss and Liszt programme.
With La Scala, I have very special ties. I admire the work that Chailly is doing to give the bel canto repertory its due place. Next season I will be back to conduct an opera. An Italian opera!(via)]]>