Switcheroo?

[Note: This post has been updated (1) as of 11:34 AM Eastern on 10 May. See below.]

As unbelievable as it sounds, bet it's already a done deal — at least the first half of it, that is.

The international rumor mill is buzzing with speculation that outgoing Chicago Symphony Orchestra Music Director Daniel Barenboim could become the next music director of Italy's famed La Scala Opera.

[...]

Ironically, Muti, 64, who resigned from La Scala in April 2005 after acrimonious relations with orchestra members, is considered one of the leading candidates for Barenboim's Chicago post. Next season, he is to conduct the CSO for the first time in more than 30 years. He is also scheduled to lead a European tour with the orchestra in fall 2007.

RTWT here.

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Update (11:34 AM Eastern on 10 May): More on this in today's New York Times.