MACERATA - British director, Graham Vick, has ruffled the feathers of the League party with his immigration-themed production of Mozart’s Magic Flute.

 At the famous Sferisterio di Macerata opera festival, Vick took the artistic decision in his production to replace the snake of the original story with a Salvinian bulldozer, which threatens a refugee camp.

 Vick has been branded as a “fool” by the League party; League councillor of Macerata, Tullio Patasini, said that “it is absurd to use theatre to justify flawed immigration policy, which has in particular affected the Maceratians… and I’m speaking on behalf of League members, Catholics and as a representative of the Maceratese people.”

 Senator Paolo Arrigoni, Lega representative in the Marche, condemns "this havoc against Mozart and the spectators," asking "why there was no reference to the death of Pamela Mastropietro?" referencing the 18 year old who was killed and torn to pieces in Macerata by a Nigerian drug dealer.

 The murder took place this year in Macerata, and has since triggered a whirlwind of "embarrassing racist reactions", culminating in what can still be considered the only terrorist attack to take place in Italy this century: a right-wing militant who shot at a crowd of Africans with the intention of killing as many people of colour as he could managed to seriously injure six. The significance of Vick's anti-racist production taking place in Macerata is even more poignant. 

 The theme of the Macerata festival this year is sustainability and community-building; “The international flair of our Festival”, says artistic director, Barbara Minghetti, “is matched by its strong ties with the local community for its themes, social relevance, engagement and interaction with the surrounding areas.”

 Vick’s production of the Magic Flute will run until Aug. 12 at the Sferisterio di Macerata opera festival.

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