A better than expected 2021 balance sheet
On Wednesday April 27, the board of directors of La Scala in Milan validated the accounts for the 2021 financial year. Superintendent Dominique Meyer even announced a profit of 300,000 euros. A happy and unexpected observation despite the consequences of the health crisis from which the Milanese institution, like others in Italy, continued to suffer last year.
70% of La Scala’s audience is under 55
In early 2021, Dominique Meyer, appointed superintendent of La Scala in Milan at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, had named Laure Mézan in Le Journal du Classique on Radio Classique that he had planned a balanced budget for the year despite the uncertainties related to the health situation. His management is rewarded beyond his expenses since the head of the prestigious Milanese institution presented to his board of directors last Wednesday a surplus 2021 financial year with a profit of around 300,000 euros.
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During his speech, Dominique Meyer specified that the attendance figures show a clear rejuvenation of attendance at La Scala, of which the over 55s do not represent ” more “ than 30% of the public. A result largely due to an attractive pricing policy for young audiences, in particular the under 30s who benefit from discounts, and which compensates for the cancellation of subscriptions in the oldest segment, particularly affected by the health crisis and more cautious.
In Italy, wearing a mask is still compulsory in concert halls
The superintendent of Teatro alla Scala also welcomed the return of tourists (+22% in 2021), especially Europeans, French, Swiss and Austrians. On the other hand, he regrets the absence, for various reasons, of spectators from Russia and Asia. However, the health situation remains fragile. Dario Franceshini, the Italian Minister of Culture, has confirmed that wearing a mask remains compulsory in concert halls. A binding decision but accepted by Dominique Meyer who believes that the abolition of the wearing of the mask would lead to an increase in positive cases which would prove to be problematic.
Philippe Gault