The new theatrical season at La Scala, Milan, which opened on December 7 with the premiere of Macbeth with the participation of Anna Netrebko, is no longer a cultural but a political event.
By tradition, Italian President Sergio Mattarella was present at the opening of the season. This year he entered the royal box of the famous theater for the last time – in 2022 his mandate in this post expires, and the Italians will have a new head of state.
The audience greeted Mattarella with loud applause, because of which they even had to break the protocol and postpone the performance of the national anthem for six minutes. By the way, this is a record: two years ago, Mattarella’s standing ovation lasted only five minutes. Especially zealous admirers of the president’s political talent even asked him to stay “for an encore,” hinting that no one could cope with this role better than him.
Mattarella was moved by such public attention, bowed, pressed his hands to his heart. But Sergio has already made the decision that he will no longer lead the country. During his presidency since 2015, Mattarella is frankly tired of the endless Italian political scandals and, according to him, the role of “savior of the nation” is beyond his powers.
The traditional presence of the president at the La Scala premiere was accompanied by the same traditional protests outside the theater. This time, the protesters focused their grievances on the policies of Prime Minister Mario Draghi to counter the coronavirus. By the way, it is Draghi who can become the successor of Mattarella as president of Italy.
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