The meeting earlier today in Rome of Opera di Roma's board of directors was expected to come to a decision re: the replacement of outgoing General Manager Francesco Ernani and the appointment of a new Music Director; but instead of running with the ball the board chose to punt. There will be a new meeting next week between members of city government of Rome, of the regional government of Lazio -- like the governor's office in the US -- and the central government to try and find emergency funding for the cash-strapped institution.
Rome Mayor Alemanno had started an audit of Opera di Roma's finances that threatened to drive the company into a disastrous receivership; the audit has been called off, as reported last week by Opera Chic, and Opera di Roma has already approved a series of cuts that should make the projected deficit for 2009 operations less heavy to bear. But about euro 5.5 million are still needed for the 2009 budget; next week's meeting should determine whether or not local governments and the central government will shell out the 5.5 million.
No news, therefore, on the possible replacement of outgoing GM Ernani with current Teatro Lirico di Cagliari GM Maurizio Pietrantonio, who is Mayor Alemanno's choice and favorite candidate.
Only once a new GM is named, Riccardo Muti, who has been offered the Music Directorship but seems more keen on accepting a less complicated post of Principal Conductor, would make his decision public.
Full background on the Muti/Roma deal here.