Ezio Bosso on Music as Social Necessity and the Crisis of Culture

In his final interview, Italian composer and conductor Ezio Bosso (Turin, 1971) argues that music is a social necessity, not a luxury. He criticizes the Italian government's neglect of the performing arts during the pandemic, noting that 500,000 workers in the sector are at risk. Bosso emphasizes that music is made of rehearsals, not just concerts, and that the inability to rehearse together is devastating. He cites the Mozart14 Association, led by Alessandra Abbado, as an example of music's social power, especially in prisons. Bosso rejects the rhetoric of a 'new normal' and calls for a vision that recognizes culture as essential. He mentions his work with Rai director Coletta and the Europe Philharmonic Orchestra as models of meritocracy and mutual aid. The interview was published by Artribune in April 2020.