Beatrice Venezi's stint as the music director of La Fenice is over before it began after the foundation that runs the storied Venice opera house said Sunday that it has cancelled all future collaborations with her after she accused Italian musicians of benefitting from nepotism in an interview with Argentine newspaper La Nacion.
    La Fenice Foundation Superintendent Nicola Colabianchi, a former ally of Venezi's, said he had made the decision to fire her due to "repeated and serious public statements that are offensive and detrimental to the artistic and professional value of the Fondazione Teatro La Fenice and its Orchestra".
    Venezi was due to become La Fenice's first female musical in October after she was controversially appointed in September 2025 amid repeated protests by the orchestra and staff against alleged political interference due to her alleged ties to Premier Giorgia Meloni.
    The 36-year-old daughter of a far-right militant was named government musical advisor by Meloni shortly after the right-wing leader came to power as Italy's first woman prime minister in 2022 and she has been praised by the premier on several occasions, also receiving an award from her Brothers of Italy (FdI) party.
    She had never led a major opera house orchestra before, and critics said her conducting record was too slim for a post like La Fenice's.
    Britain's Daily Telegraph, on the other hand, had said the Lucca-born pianist and conductor was the victim of sexism, misogyny and reverse ageism.
    Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli, who had defended Venezi's appointment, said he had "full confidence" in Colabianchi on Sunday.
    Giuli added that he hoped the decision would "clear the air of misunderstandings" and "tensions" for the good of the opera house and the city of Venice.

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