Fortunato Ortombina and Jung Myung-hoon's 30-Year Musical Journey

Fortunato Ortombina, the director of the prestigious La Scala opera house in Milan, expressed his admiration for Jung Myung-hoon during a press conference held on June 21, coinciding with the opening of the Busan Concert Hall. "Jung Myung-hoon is proud to be Korean and born in Busan, but at the same time, he feels like an Italian," Ortombina remarked with a smile. La Scala, which opened in 1778, is renowned for premiering masterpieces by Verdi and Puccini. In May, Jung made history by becoming the first Asian music director in the theater's 240-year history.

After being appointed as director last year, Ortombina's first task was to select a music director. He stated, "I thought about who would have a good relationship with the orchestra and choir at La Scala. Jung Myung-hoon came to mind as the perfect candidate for great projects with them." He added that he recommended Jung, and both the Milan mayor and the theater's board unanimously agreed.

During the press conference, the long-standing relationship between Ortombina and Jung, spanning over 30 years, was highlighted. Ortombina, who studied trombone and composition, has a diverse musical background, including vocal and choral conducting and opera piano accompaniment. He has worked as a researcher at the National Verdi Institute and has extensive experience in various opera houses in Turin, Naples, and Venice since 1997. He shared a story from 1992 when he worked as a foreign tourist guide in Milan to support his studies. He recalled watching an opera from the front row after some American tourists missed the show, with Jung conducting that performance of a Shostakovich opera. Thus, their relationship began as audience and conductor.

Their paths crossed again in 2001 when Ortombina led the performance planning department at La Fenice in Venice. He explained that after a fire destroyed the theater, it reopened in 2003 with Jung conducting the inaugural performance with the Santa Cecilia Orchestra from Rome. Over the next decade, Ortombina served as the artistic director and theater manager at La Fenice, where Jung frequently conducted, solidifying their partnership.

This marks Ortombina's third visit to Korea. He first came in 2011 to see an opera conducted by Jung and returned last year when the La Fenice Orchestra, under Jung's direction, performed in Korea. All of Ortombina's visits to Korea have been due to his connection with Jung. After Jung's appointment at La Scala, he praised Ortombina, saying, "He knows more about Verdi than I do." Ortombina humorously responded, "Jung Myung-hoon is one of the greatest Verdi conductors in history; he must have been Italian in a past life. I jokingly call him 'Marco Polo' after the famous Italian explorer."

In Milan, there has traditionally been resistance to foreign conductors and singers, but Ortombina believes that times have changed. "Twenty or thirty years ago, there might have been objections based on nationality, but I think that era is over," he stated. Jung has conducted nine operas 84 times at La Scala since his debut in 1989, in addition to leading 141 concerts, further strengthening their bond. In 2023, Jung was appointed as the honorary conductor of an orchestra composed of La Scala members.

Currently, Jung serves as the artistic director of the Busan Concert Hall, raising interest in future collaborations between Korea and Italy in opera. He is scheduled to return to Korea in September with the La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra. Ortombina noted, "It is still early to disclose specific plans, but the possibility for collaboration is certainly open."