La Scala censures music critic at Milan daily known for biting commentary

MILAN – La Scala opera house has taken the unusual step of censuring a music critic from the Milan daily Corriere della Sera known for his biting commentaries.

General Manager Stephane Lissner said in a letter published Sunday that his opera house “decided to distance” itself from Paolo Isotta because he had betrayed a critic’s role “to think, to reflect,” and instead had waged “personal campaigns” against institutions and artists.

The opera house said it would no longer extend Isotta the courtesy of free tickets, although other Corriere critics remain welcome

Ferruccio de Bortoli, Corriere’s editor-in-chief, defended Isotta, calling him “an extraordinary, intelligent and unpredictable critic” who admittedly ” is not alien to excess.” The paper said the decision was made following Isotta’s review of “Falstaff,” which he called “heavy and pedantic.”