Milan's La Scala Takes 10% Salary Cut

Proving that no organization is safe in the age of austerity, Italy’s renowned La Scala has announced that it is to cut the salaries of its top directors. The heads of 11 departments have all agreed to have 10% shaved from their pay packets

The cuts have also been extended to Stephane Lissner, the head of the Milan Opera House, who will also see his reported €1 million (£805,000) reduced by a tenth. The cuts are understood to have affected the Argentinian-born conductor Daniel Barenboim.

The reduction is all part of La Scala’s strategy to decrease its debts. They have been forecast to drop from €7 million to €4 million. Savings, corporate sponsorship and a rise in box office takings have all been attributed to the reduction in debt.

Mr Lissner acknowledged that La Scala’s finances – coupled with a cutback in public funding - have forced him to cut back La Scala’s vision for the 2013 – 14 seasons. Milan’s mayor and La Scala president, Guiliano Pisapia, who has been a supporter of the cuts, has welcomed the cuts.