Abstract

While the Italian government is severely cutting the public funds, named FUS, to Opera Houses, the public debate is focused on the financial and costs topics, on the main way of saving money by implementing more management's efficiency. The author stresses that the needed exit strategy is to promote the national and local cultural demand. Opera offer is perceived by citizens like something of needless. Lyrical audience are people aged, with limited turn-over, a small part of the community (also the wealthy one). The actual government policy seems reflecting citizens feeling and their poor cultural investment and supply. To show them the value of culture, its need, its social value, cultural public institutions and opinion must re-build a living link between lyric and symphonic musical activities and institutions and the national and local communities.