Protest clashes mar La Scala opera premiere
AFP
MILAN- Riot police fired tear gas at protesters outside La Scala in Milan on Tuesday, as clashes against the Italian government's austerity budget cuts marred the season opening of the historic opera house.
AFP reporters saw baton-wielding police charging at around 100 students out of a group of 200 to 300 protesters including immigrants and culture workers.
La Scala opera House
Two officers were injured and treated at the scene, ANSA news agency said.
The protest prompted conductor Daniel Barenboim to break with tradition by giving a speech before the premiere of Wagner's "The Valkyrie" in which he said he was "very worried about the future of culture in Italy and in Europe."
He also read out a passage from the Italian constitution saying that the state "promises to develop culture and technical and scientific research, protect the environment and the nation's historical and artistic heritage."
La Scala director Stephane Lissner was quoted by ANSA news agency as saying: "I don't like it when there are protests like this, it's so sad. Unfortunately these things happen all over Europe because there is no dialogue.
At the protest, Roberto D'Ambrosio, a member of the autonomous CUB trade union, told AFP: ""The state is continuing to cut funds, the cuts are affecting everyone -- education and theatre. It's a generalised attack."
One placard at the rally read: "Let's Fight Together Against the Cuts!"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------