Privatization of Italian Opera Foundations: A Crisis in Cultural Production

The article argues that the privatization of Italy's 14 Fondazioni Lirico-sinfoniche, initiated by the 1996 Veltroni law (law 367/1996), has led to a crisis in artistic production. The law transformed public opera entities into private foundations, allowing private investors on boards and reducing public funding via the Fondo unico per lo spettacolo (FUS). Only the Teatro alla Scala in Milan has thrived, attracting the largest share of public funds and highest private co-financing. Other foundations face financial struggles, leading to cost-cutting that primarily affects artistic staff, particularly dance companies. Of the 14 foundations, only four retain a ballet company. The article highlights the 'Napoli case' as a rare positive development: on October 5, 2020, an agreement involving Mayor Luigi de Magistris and unions (SLC-CGIL, FISTel-CISL, UILCOM-UIL, FIALS-CISAL) secured 40 permanent contracts for ballet dancers and 80 for chorus members at Teatro San Carlo. Former dancer Fabio Gison of FISTel-CISL expressed cautious optimism. The author, Manuela Barbato, criticizes the lack of cultural expertise among political leaders and calls for ministers with artistic backgrounds.