Some guys travelled back in time with their Tamagotchis and Pokemons and started an online petition to nominate Milanese Maestro Daniele Gatti for La Scala's vacant* Music Director position. *Vacant? Not really -- between General Manager Stéphane Lissner and Daniel Barenboim as Maestro Scaligero's ~Honorary Maestro~, they've definitely been bringing-in their first round draft picks the past 4 years.
So how much do online petitions rule? It's possible to nominate literally anyone in the free world for new Music Director of La Scala. The Italians love George Clooney -- and he looks great in a Tom Ford tux! Why not?
Anyway, Opera Chic's talked about what's going on with Daniele Gatti's chance for MD extensively here. And here. And here.
Sadly, the Milanese Maestro keeps getting the fuzzy end of the La Scala lollipop. We don't so easily forget that drama-llama Don Carlo of 2008, and we definitely don't have the energy to get back into former/present contenders' trials -- Harding, Dudamel, Chailly, Myung-whun Chung, etc. -- and nothing's happening until 2015 anyway.
So to keep pitching Gatti for MD is like holding out hope that your douchy ex-boyfriend from college who dumped you and made secks on the entire cheerleading team will one day wake from his Jägerbomb hangover and realize that you were his soul mate. But you've already married the rich lawyer and have two kids (and a sweet golden retriever) so who cares?
Well, at least they made the Italian news! Here's a tip, guys: when I pop the trunk, hit the deck. Here's another: It's 2010 (almost 2011) -- there's Facebook for all your petition needs!
George Clooney for Music Director of la Scala? Don't even get me started!
Posted by: Rogier | December 30, 2010 at 04:48 AM
Bravo, OC! What a great editorial! This one is a classic! You are in great form, milady!
I'd vote for George Clooney!
Posted by: Eric | December 30, 2010 at 05:43 AM
Daniele Gatti was booed last night at the Munich "Fidelio"; likewise, more loudly, at the prima on Dec 21. He brought much lyricism to the score, at leisurely tempi; tension and structure suffered.
Jonas Kaufmann called in sick ("severe cold") yesterday morning; Robert Dean Smith, in town for Munich Phil work, ably subbed. A tad over-parted, Anja Kampe sang beautifully and with keen intelligence.
Burgos-born director Calixto Bieito brought these innovations: Rocco abuses his daughter; Marzelline flaunts her sexuality, vents frustration with smeared lipstick; Leonore pours acid over Pizarro, twice; Fernando (as Heath Ledger's Joker) shoots just-freed Florestan, but with blanks; a bungee-jumping ballet precedes Act II; all action takes place in a neon-trimmed 3D Tetris cage.
Posted by: Andrew Powell | December 30, 2010 at 10:17 AM
We want Daniele Gatti as Music Director of La Scala!!!
Posted by: loggionisti | December 30, 2010 at 11:50 AM
GATTI??!!!! Noooooooooo!
Keep Clooney and his "gang" in Hollywood, thank you!
Petition? Ha ha ha... Scraping the barrel they are, they are!
Posted by: walter | December 30, 2010 at 12:33 PM
Forever George Clooney...rofl
Posted by: gianguido mussomeli | December 30, 2010 at 01:36 PM
hahaha, Dear Opera Chic, I feel I am not ALONE!!!
What a frustlation I have for this crazy music world.
But I am a soldier, I will fight this coming new year as well. But huuuuuu! I am getting old!!??
I start---I have a dream.....!! HAPPY NEW YEAR
EVERY ONE! Noncy
Posted by: Noncy Cowans | December 30, 2010 at 03:13 PM
How about Nicolas Cage - he is of Italian origin and could pass as Daniele Gatti's twin brother.
Happy New Year, OC, much success to you, and thank you for your insightful and highly entertaining blog!
Posted by: Renate | December 30, 2010 at 06:47 PM
Daniele Gatti would be a perfect choice for Music Director (he's smart, he's successful, he's from Milan and popular in the eyes of Milan's music snobs), but Lissner and Barenboim won't give up control. It's The Bad Boys Club and Gatti's just too nice and professional to swim in those dark, murky waters. Keep your head above that undertow, Gatti.
Posted by: Frank L. | December 30, 2010 at 07:59 PM
Does one of the two kids look like the jaegerbomber?
Posted by: deadtenors | December 30, 2010 at 08:06 PM
HAHAHAHA! I'm laughing so hard at this post. What would we do without you, Darling O.C.?
Question: Why won't Barenboim take the position? Is that a possibility in the future? It's not something I personally endorse, but it doesn't seem like he's in the runnings.
Posted by: Elphaba | December 30, 2010 at 08:11 PM
Andrew Powell, thanks for that report. Munich just loves to boo Gatti. It's their "thing" at this point.
Posted by: Ruth | December 30, 2010 at 08:14 PM
Its doesn't help that Gatti always seems to meet with ... err ... less than wholehearted enthusiasm in some big spots, the Don Carlo mentioned by OC, the current Fidelio noted in a preceding comment, the Munich Aida reviewed by OC. This doesn't speak definitively to the musical quality of the performances but public approval of important performances is important for conductors (quite unlike Regisseurs, obviously).
Posted by: Furst | December 31, 2010 at 01:52 AM
Random question, if anyone besides OC sees this post: Gianandrea Noseda leaves the BBC Philharmonic after this season. Does GN have a history at La Scala, good, bad or otherwise?
Posted by: Geo. | January 11, 2011 at 11:08 PM