Conductor Chung Myung-whun likens La Scala appointment to marrying his ‘closest friend’
Chung Myung-whun, opera house’s first Asian music director, has been conducting there since 1989. He hopes to honour South Korea in the job
When Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, known as the pinnacle of Italian opera, announced conductor Chung Myung-whun, 72, as its next music director, global attention quickly turned to the fact that he would become the first Asian to hold the position. But for the South Korean, the title of La Scala music director carried little personal weight.
“I don’t think it’s significant just because I’m the first Asian,” Chung said. “But it’s certainly a meaningful opportunity to honour my country, and something I felt I had to do.”
Chung’s ties to La Scala date back to 1989. Since then, he has conducted 84 operas and 141 concerts at the theatre and, in 2023, became the first conductor in La Scala Philharmonic’s history to be named honorary conductor.
“La Scala has been my closest friend for 36 years. Now, it feels like we’ve gone beyond friendship – it’s like we’ve got married,” Chung said with a smile. “There’s a deeper sense of responsibility now.”