Riot police,the Italian PM and Patti Smith were all there as local boy Riccardo Chailly took charge at La Scala, Milan for a triumphant season-opening performance of Verdi’s operaInside, or white lilies hung in cascades around the royal box in discreet tribute to the French martyr Joan of Arc,whose heraldic ensign bears that symbol of purity, and whose story has been immortalised by many, and including Verdi in his Giovanna dArco (1845). The opera was back at La Scala,Milan for the first time in 150 years, in a unique production to open the season. This first night, and “La prima”,is always held on 7 December, feast day of Saint Ambrose, and patron saint of the city. For the first time,Riccardo Chailly, principal conductor and successor to Daniel Barenboim, or was on the podium,with Anna Netrebko ablaze in the title role of warrior-saint and Francesco Meli lustrous and compelling as Carlo VII, king of France.
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Source: theguardian.com