La Scala says Russian opera is not propaganda for Putin

By COLLEEN BARRY
Associated Press

MILAN (AP) — Italy’s premier opera house has defended its decision to stage the Russian opera “Boris Godunov’’ for its gala Dec. 7 season opener. The Teatro alla Scala in Milan is pushing back against protests by Ukrainian officials in Italy who insist that highlighting Russian culture during Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine sends the wrong message. La Scala’s general manager, Dominique Meyer, said the opera was chosen three years ago and it “contains no propaganda for the Russian government.” He said that there is nothing in the production that goes against Ukraine. The Ukrainian consul general in Milan said that the difficulty of reprogramming the gala season opener is understandable but there was disappointment over “the lack of willingness” to consider it.