«I'm thinking of a register for music critics.Morgan? The vision of him will be necessary »-Corriere.it

Maestro Venezi, did you expect this?

Let's say that we have been talking about it with Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano for a while.

And the official news has just arrived: she has been chosen as adviser for music, bypassing Morgan.

With Marco (Castoldi, alias Morgan, ed.) we wrote messages. He joked about having cried over his exclusion, but I reiterated to him that his vision will be necessary in the path we are about to take, because there is not only classical music, which is my field of work, but there is also other, in which he can be valuable.

Master, there will be many things to do.

You can say that loud. Unfortunately the pandemic has dealt hard blows to the entertainment sector and in particular to music, so first of all I have to think about the protection and enhancement of artists. Let's take the case of music: the artist is paid per performance, therefore the upfront expenses for rehearsals, for example, are not covered. I think this mechanism needs to be reviewed, taking the example of other countries, such as France, for example, where the artist is recognized as having a very different status and therefore the protections are greater.

Where are you going to start from?

For example from a different regulation of the Fus, a single fund for entertainment. In the vision that I would like to propose, they shouldn't be funds that only serve to repay the debts of institutions, but real support for artists. The purposes of Fus are good, I want to underline it, but there is a need for more checks before and after delivery, in my opinion. And then let me tell you something about identity.

A theme that is very dear to her.

Yes, because I think we don't know enough about our cultural heritage. Those who follow my work know well that for me the dissemination of music and closeness with the younger generations are important. I'm thinking of discussions with the Ministry of Education, for example. And then there is the question of merit. The artist must be valued for what he can do. And also financially supported.

Perhaps that of merit is something that also concerns the critics.

You touch on another point that is close to my heart. I see that today anyone with a smartphone stands as a critic. And certain "criticisms", let's call them that, can enhance or destroy an artist's career. This is why I am thinking of a specialized training course and a register of professional critics. In my vision I go further: not only for music, but for criticism tout court. I think there is a need to better frame the roles.

It seems to understand that you want to work above all on the figure of the artist, so?

That's right. And I'll tell you more. In Italy there is too much xenophilia. Singers, musicians, conductors from other countries fill the billboards. For heaven's sake, the merit is deserved and with this I don't mean that I am against hiring non-Italian professionals. But I think there is a need to support ours too. Not only in Italy, but also when they are exhibited abroad, in international contexts.

Finally, a detail on the qualification: you insisted on being called Maestro and not Maestro, saying that Maestro is a precise academic title. Now, Counsellor is not an academic qualification: ask to be called Counsellor?

I'd rather be called "Music Advisor." But if someone misses the feminine, don't make it a matter of principle, let's put it this way.