Rome Opera open to woman conductors

(ANSA) - Rome, September 26 - Rome Opera Superintendent Carlo Fuortes said Friday he is in favor of inviting women as guest conductors.
    His comment came after media reports that speculated Mayor Ignazio Marino had three names in mind to replace conductor Riccardo Muti, who quit Sunday after six years at the helm of the troubled opera house.
    These are Italian pianist Gianna Fratta, Australian conductor Simone Young, and New York conductor and violinist Marin Alsop.
    "I fervently hope, as does the mayor, that there will be women conductors," Fuortes said.
    "But only as guest conductors. Muti will always remain our honorary director". Fuortes denied press reports of a rift with the mayor, who added his own remarks to allay those suspicions.
    "When we called Fuortes the theater had been driven into 12-million-euro debt, and he put it right within a year," said Marino.
    "I am very satisfied with Carlo's work".
    The mayor will meet with Culture Minister Dario Franceschini and Lazio Governor Nicola Zingaretti on Monday to discuss the future of the capital's opera house, Marino added.