Let's have fun with this story while it lasts, what do you say?
Tuesday's Repubblica published an interview with Riccardo Muti, who receives an honorary doctorate (his fifth overall) in Naples tomorrow and is just back in Italy after a most interesting visit to New York. AP and other English-language sources ran excerpts, but vilaine fille offers you the interview in its entirety (minus some narrative blah-blah).
On the honorary doctorate: This is a special satisfaction for me, because after graduating from the liceo classico I enrolled in the philosophy program of the Ateneo Federico II of Naples. I did not have any particular philosophical gifts, but I sensed that this type of study could nourish my musical studies. I still have my exam booklet, which is dear to me because this university was founded by Federico II, a figure whom I have long studied as a man and a monarch of immense learning and enlightenment.* And then, my mother, who was Neapolitan, would have been proud of me.
* [Translator's note: Dante placed Federico in the sixth circle of hell, among the heretics. Federico is a longtime hero of mine, too.]
On his warm reception in New York: New York is a city in which I have always worked very well. I have a great understanding with the musicians, and I sense that the public is close to me. Let us not forget, too, that this was the orchestra of Mahler, Walter, Bernstein, Toscanini. Starting in the 2006 season I will devote long periods of time to the orchestra: four weeks a year for a three-year period. After that, we’ll see.
Interesting narrative blah-blah: Still, William McDonough, a Philharmonic Board member, does not give up easily. "Ours is considered one of the best orchestras in the world—he said publicly—but in the hands of Muti it would become so without a doubt. I offered it to him [translator's note: the music directorship?] in 1999, and he told me that he wanted to devote his full attention to his theatre. Now I'm asking him again, and I hope, in the end, to find the right arguments to persuade him." Consul Antonio Bandini, himself Neapolitan, adds his voice to those supporting Muti's candidacy: "New York is his home away from home. And we are at his complete disposal."
On his ties to Daniel Barenboim and Chicago: In the past few days Daniel wrote a beautiful letter of support for me. He is a friend and a conductor for whom I have great esteem. Yes, it's true: Musicians and a delegation from the management of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra came to hear me [in New York]. Barenboim officially leaves his post in 2006. They asked me to consider their offer. Given that Chicago is one of the most important orchestras in the world, I greatly appreciated their invitation. For now, I don't wish to make further statements. In the meantime, I am about to go on tour.
In the immediate future: I'm traveling with the Vienna Philharmonic for several weeks and then getting ready for the Mozart celebrations in Salzburg, where I conduct Die Zauberflöte, directed by Graham Vick, in July. Salzburg is the ideal place to think.
Where would he choose to go? I'll answer with the words Piave gave to Padre Guardiano in Verdi's La forza del destino: "Who can read the future?"
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