Farewell to Maria Di Freda, the historic general director of La Scala: she was originally from Irpinia.

MMilan – Maria Di Freda, a symbolic figure of La Scala, has passed away at the age of 75 after a long illness. She worked there for almost half a century, from 1973 to 2021, and served as general director from 2008.

Originally from Altavilla Irpina, in the province of Avellino, married to Luigi Bianchi and mother of Alessandro, Di Freda had taken her first steps at Piermarini under the guidance of Paolo Grassi, conquering positions of increasing responsibility over the years.

In 1991 she became personnel director, and three years later assistant to superintendent Carlo Fontana, at a crucial moment in the theatre's history: its transformation into an opera foundation.

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In 1998, she was appointed head of institutional relations. In 2003, she coordinated the return to the historic site after the restoration designed by Mario Botta with Emilio Pizzi, managing the artistic and organizational direction during her years at the Teatro degli Arcimboldi.

Her name is linked to complex and decisive moments, such as the 2005 crisis, with the departure of Riccardo Muti and Superintendent Fontana, followed by the arrival of Stéphane Lissner. It was Lissner himself who appointed her general director in 2008, a position she would hold with Alexander Pereira and Dominique Meyer until her retirement in 2021.

Over the course of her career, she oversaw 85 tours in 32 countries, consolidated the relationship with RAI, and oversaw the launch of the project to relocate laboratories and warehouses to Rubattino. At La Scala, she was considered a reliable and tireless presence: strict when necessary, but always available, capable of ensuring cohesion and continuity across six different superintendencies.

La Scala Theatre has announced that it will dedicate an official memorial service to her this fall. "Maria Di Freda has made an extraordinary contribution, working with energy, determination, and tenacity on countless projects," a statement reads. "We will remember her dedication, her resolute and combative nature, her humanity, and her affection for the La Scala family."

Superintendent Fortunato Ortombina, musical director Riccardo Chailly, ballet director Frédéric Olivieri, and all the theater staff gathered around the family in these hours of mourning.