Daniel Barenboim to be La Scala's director

Renowned conductor Daniel Barenboim will take up the post of musical director at Italy's world renowned La Scala opera house from December until the end of 2016, the Milan theatre said on Thursday. The Israeli-Argentinian musician will open the 2011-2012 season by directing Mozart's Don Giovanni, staged by Canadian Robert Carsen. Barenboim will spend 15 weeks a year at La Scala, where he is already principle guest conductor. The Milan opera house's artistic director, Frenchman Stephane Lissner, said La Scala was pleased to strengthen further "a close relationship with one of the biggest orchestral directors of our time." Milan mayor Giuliano Pisapia, who heads the La Scala foundation, said the appointment "confirms once more that La Scala is an international reference for culture and music." La Scala's former music director Riccardo Muti stepped down from the post in 2005 after 20 years in a row with management and the position had remained vacant since then.