Chicago Symphony woos Muti

Riccardo Muti, who resigned as music director of Milan's La Scala opera house this month, says he is considering an offer from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

"They have asked me to consider their offer," Muti said in an interview published Tuesday in the Italian daily La Repubblica. "Since we are dealing with one of the most prestigious orchestras in the world, I greatly appreciated their invitation.

"For now, I don't want to make other statements," Muti added, noting that the Chicago orchestra's current music director, Daniel Barenboim, is due to leave his post next year.

Muti served as music director at La Scala for 19 years before stepping down after a dispute with workers there.