Abstract

The author, an economist, currently sovrintendente (general manager) of the Palermo Foundation Teatro Massimo, examines the issue of economic and financial sustainability of the Italian opera houses from the point of view of modern and innovative techniques in management. In addition, the author examines the causes of the global economic and financial crisis of Italian opera houses by linking them mainly with the lack of capacity to attract private funds (sponsors, donors) and to replace the decline of public funds. Finally, he proposes the recent results in terms of private funds attractions, costs control, labour flexibility, and more generally of the improvements in the management of the Teatro Massimo of Palermo as a good practice in the applied managerial techniques. Something that is very unfamiliar to use in the Italian Opera Foundations experience.