Rome (AFP)
Former Paris Opera star dancer Manuel Legris is tipped to conduct "in the coming months" the Ballet of the prestigious Scala in Milan, a source close to the theater told AFP.
Even if the decision has not yet been made, a source close to the theater told AFP that "we are going in this direction".
Technically it is impossible for Dominique Meyer to name him since "he will only take up his duties on March 1 and then there is an administrative procedure to follow", said the same source.
The Board of Directors of La Scala in particular must decide on this appointment.
According to the close source, "there are no particular obstacles and it is likely that this appointment will be made in the coming months".
According to specialized media, Manuel Legris should take office in December 2020.
La Scala theater has officially denied press reports that the decision had already been made.
The new superintendent (director) Dominique Meyer "will take office during the month of March and will make a decision on the direction of the Corps de Ballet in the coming months," said La Scala press service in a note to AFP.
"The news that the appointment has been made is unfounded," said the theater.
Frédéric Olivieri, the current director of the Corps de Ballet who combines the function with that of director of the Ballet School of La Scala, "will reach the end of his mandate", said the close source, adding that he should then return to attend exclusively to the Ballet School.
This combination of functions was "unprecedented" and "this is precisely why La Scala needs a new director of the corps de Ballet," added the source.
Manuel Legris worked for 10 years at the head of the Vienna Opera ballet, alongside Dominique Meyer.
© 2020 AFP