The Teatro La Fenice opera house in Venice is at the center of a bitter dispute over its new director, Beatrice Venezi, according to multiple reports. Critics see the 36-year-old pianist and conductor as too young, inexperienced, and a political appointment. Venezi is close to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and became musical advisor to the newly formed right-wing government in autumn 2022. She has also performed at meetings of Italy's largest party, Brothers of Italy, where Meloni is party leader. Her father, Gabriele Venezi, has been a politician in the neo-fascist Forza Nuova for many years.
When Venezi was appointed, conductors and musicians gave fiery speeches from the opera's stage, and flyers were thrown from the balconies with the message 'Music is art, not entertainment'. The opera's former superintendent Cristiano Chiarot strongly criticized the appointment, calling it 'a textbook example of how low we have now sunk in our country with these political appointments'. Many employees at the opera threatened to strike.
The nomination of Beatrice Venezi is a textbook example of how low we have now sunk in our country, with these political appointments.
Venezi has received death threats since her appointment, according to reports. An online petition has gathered more than 10,000 signatures calling for her resignation. However, she is defended by voters with right-wing sympathies. Meloni said the criticism is misogynistic and politically motivated, and that the appointment of a young woman to such an important post should be celebrated. 'If Beatrice Venezi were left-wing, her critics would celebrate,' Meloni said.
The controversy is part of a broader debate over the Meloni government's cultural policy. One of the government's stated goals is to 'create a new hegemony'. Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli said it is not self-evident that culture should be left-wing: 'There are hierarchies in the cultural sphere and these must be challenged.' There is an intense debate over the government's appointments of new directors for the country's museums. Italy has more than 500 state museums, including archaeological parks and monuments. In 2025, these museums had a total of 61 million visitors. In July 2025, the Meloni government appointed five new museum directors, including for the Colosseum Archaeological Park and the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence.
There are hierarchies in the cultural sphere and these must be challenged.
Meanwhile, at least seven million foreign tourists are expected to visit Italy this Easter, according to major media reports. Many questions remain unanswered, including what specific qualifications Venezi has for the role and the exact timeline of the appointment and protests. The broader public opinion in Italy regarding these cultural appointments is also unclear.