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Luca Guadagnino Directs Controversial Opera Amid Protests

4/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino will direct the controversial opera The Death of Klinghoffer, composed by John Adams, premiering this Sunday at Maggio Musicale Theater in Florence, Italy.
The Death of Klinghoffer is based on the 1985 hijacking of the Achille Lauro and Leon Klinghoffer's murder.
Since its 1991 debut, the work has faced protests and boycotts, including the 2014 Metropolitan Opera production.
Guadagnino has long admired the work.

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Story summary

Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino will direct the controversial opera The Death of Klinghoffer, composed by John Adams, premiering this Sunday at Maggio Musicale Theater in Florence, Italy.
The Death of Klinghoffer is based on the 1985 hijacking of the Achille Lauro and Leon Klinghoffer's murder.
Since its 1991 debut, the work has faced protests and boycotts, including the 2014 Metropolitan Opera production.
Guadagnino has long admired the work.