Italy's La Scala names Korean conductor Chung Myung-whun as Music Director

Staying in Europe.

Korean conductor Chung Myung-whun will take the podium of the renowned Italian opera house La Scala next year to become its first Asian musical director in history.

Byeon Ye-young covers this upcoming event.

On Monday, Italy's world-renowned opera house, Teatro alla Scala, announced on its official website the appointment of a new Music Director.

According to reports, 72-year-old Korean conductor Chung Myung-whun was unanimously chosen for the role by the opera house's board of directors in a meeting on the same day.

Inaugurated in 1778, this is the first time in La Scala's 247-year history that an Asian person will hold the position.

Chung will also be just the second non-Italian to take up the role.

"This isn't just about being appointed as a music director of an opera house — first and foremost, it marks a personal milestone for the 72-year-old Chung Myung-whun the peak of his career.

Secondly, as the first Asian music director of La Scala, it elevates the global status of Asian, and especially Korean, classical music. It's something that can inspire and give hope to the next generation of Korean conductors."

Chung's musical journey began as a pianist, but he stepped onto the conductor's podium in 1978, when he was named Associate Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

In the 1980s, he entered the European scene, serving as Music Director of Germany's Saarbrücken Radio Symphony Orchestra and later of the Paris Opera.

Chung's ties to La Scala run deep.

Since 1989, Chung has led nine opera productions across 84 performances and conducted 141 concerts at La Scala, which is more than any other conductor who did not hold the title of Music Director.

According to AP News, the opera house praised his "close and productive" relationship with its orchestra, choir, and philharmonic, stating that no other non-director has contributed more to enhancing La Scala's global reputation.

Chung will succeed Riccardo Chailly, with his official term beginning late next year and running through early 2030.

Byeon Ye-young,

Arirang News.