Sicilian cultural institutions respond to COVID-19 with digital initiatives
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, cultural institutions in Sicily adapted by embracing digital platforms. Under the leadership of Francesco Giambrone, Teatro Massimo di Palermo introduced a web TV that featured daily broadcasts of previous productions. Teatro Greco di Siracusa, managed by Marianna Valenise, delayed its season from May 8 to May 28, offering options for rescheduling, refunds, or donations. Teatro di Donnafugata presented two operas on YouTube and invited former artists to share one-minute performances. Giovanni Cultrera’s Teatro Massimo Vincenzo Bellini di Catania streamed a co-production of Norma from 2005 and planned additional chamber music broadcasts. Scenario Pubblico, directed by Roberto Zappalà, also streamed significant performances. Meanwhile, museums like Museo Riso and Fondazione OELLE closed, with the UNWTO projecting a 1–3% decline in international tourist arrivals and estimated revenue losses of $30–50 billion for 2020.
Key facts
- Teatro Massimo di Palermo launched a daily web TV streaming past productions.
- Teatro Greco di Siracusa postponed its season from May 8 to May 28.
- Teatro di Donnafugata streamed two La Scala co-productions on YouTube from March 12.
- Teatro Massimo Bellini di Catania streamed a 2005 Norma co-production.
- Scenario Pubblico streamed historic performances from its 30-year archive.
- Rizzutogallery postponed Francesca Politi's show and shared past exhibition content.
- Galleria Laveronica postponed Giovanni De Lazzari's April 11 opening.
- Fondazione OELLE closed Ge/19 The boiling project and prepared virtual interviews.
- UNWTO estimated 1–3% drop in international tourist arrivals and $30–50 billion revenue loss.
Entities
Artists
- Francesco De Grandi
- Francesca Politi
- Giovanni De Lazzari
- Mauro Benetti
- Filippo La Vaccara
- Corrado Levi
- Mariella Senatore
- Roberto Zappalà
- Carmelo Nicosia
Institutions
- Teatro Massimo di Palermo
- Teatro Greco di Siracusa
- Inda Onlus
- Teatro di Donnafugata
- Accademia della Scala di Milano
- Teatro Massimo Vincenzo Bellini di Catania
- AFAM
- Scenario Pubblico
- Mibact
- Rizzutogallery
- Galleria Laveronica
- San Sebastiano Contemporary
- Museo Regionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea Riso
- Museo d'Aumale di Terrasini
- Castello Medievale di Caccamo
- Real Albergo dei Poveri
- Cappella dell'Incoronata
- Museo Osservatorio Paleontologico
- Fondazione OELLE
- Sandretto Re Rebaudengo
- Four Point Sheraton Hotel
- UNWTO
- Nazioni Unite
- Artribune
Locations
- Sicily
- Palermo
- Siracusa
- Ragusa Ibla
- Catania
- Noto
- Modica
- Palazzolo Acreide
- Aci Castello
- Taormina
- Terrasini
- Caccamo
- New York
- Italia