ROME (AP) — Milan's La Scala theater, trying to end the turmoil that led to conductor Riccardo Muti's resignation, has named the director of the opera festival in Aix-en-Provence, France, to be its top administrator and artistic director.

Stephane Lissner is replacing embattled superintendent Mauro Meli and will take over next month, said a statement from Milan Mayor Gabriele Albertini, who is also president of the private foundation that controls La Scala.

The decisions were made during a board of directors' meeting.

Meli's appointment in February — replacing longtime superintendent Carlo Fontana — had been disputed by La Scala workers, who demanded his resignation. He had offered to step down weeks ago.

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Tensions at La Scala caused a series of strikes and the cancellation of several performances.

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