The orchestra and choirs of La Scala in Milan were forced to cancel a concert scheduled for Saturday in Brussels due to disruptions in the European skies following the strong earthquake that hit Morocco in the Marrakech region where there are more than 2,100 dead and thousands seriously injured.
Under the baton of Riccardo Chailly, musical director of the Italian institution, the orchestra and choirs of La Scala in Milan were this Saturday at the Palace of Fine Arts for a concert dedicated to the overtures of Giuseppe’s great operas Verdi.
But the performance had to be canceled » due to the impact of the tragic earthquake in Morocco on air traffic in Europe”, said the Italian opera in a press release.
« The plane was to transport the 215 orchestra musicians, choir members and crew from Aalborg in Denmark, where a performance had been given the day before, in Brussels on Saturday morning but the aircraft remained at Marrakech airport », detailed La Scala. The Milanese institution added that “no other solution could be found in time for the concert in Brussels.”
The musicians of La Scala think “ above all to the victims of the earthquake and this immense tragedy”
A powerful earthquake (magnitude of 6.8) struck Morocco in the province of Al-Haouz, southwest of Marrakech, during the night from Friday to Saturday, leaving more than 2,100 dead and at least as many injured. some of whom are in serious condition, according to a toll that continues to increase.
La Scala emphasized that the concertists’ thinking was going “to first and foremost to the victims of the earthquake and this immense tragedy.”
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Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani sent a message of support to the victims and their families and called on his fellow citizens not to fly to Marrakech unless they already have tickets, “ given the congestion at the airport.
Philippe Gault (with AFP)
I’m close to the #Morocco for the tragic earthquake that sowed death and destruction. Italy is ready to help the Moroccan authorities in these difficult moments, including in the rescue phases. A prayer for the victims and their families.
— Antonio Tajani (@Antonio_Tajani) September 9, 2023