One, two, three!
La Scala's "I Due Foscari" that opens on March 24 was supposed to have IMG's Carlo Montanaro as the conductor; but Montanaro won't be there next month, though (Opera Chic leaves to the reader the answer to the question whether the fiasco of his Traviata last season at la Scala has anything to do with this).
La Scala then announced Nello Santi as Montanaro's replacement; and as of today they still have Santi as the conductor on their website page for I Due Foscari. The choice made OC very happy -- Maestro Santi is a seasoned, excellent Verdi conductor.
But Opera Chic bets her new Costume National stilettos that Maestro Santi won't be there on March 24. Apparently due to "creative differences" over the choice, of all people, of the second-cast soprano to relieve lead Svetla Vassileva of her duties for a couple nights.
Opera Chic would never suggest that the young soprano in question also has a father who is a seasoned, excellent Verdi conductor.
Whatevs!
Anyway: another Italian conductor, younger than Santi, Opera Chic bets, will replace the replacement in that august pit.
(the photo above: Lee Friedlander's "New York", 1963)
+++update+++
La Scala miracolously -- and discreetly -- sent out a press release in the early evening, Stefano Ranzani replaces Nello Santi, no reason given.