Lyrical, Bologna speeds up on fundraising, private sector enters the scene for the Municipal Theatre

In Bologna, the Lirica Opera House is accelerating fundraising efforts with private sector involvement for its Communal theater, which will host artistic activities at its new home starting February 14, 2025. The historic venue had been undergoing extensive renovation financed by the city, regional, state, and European funds, totaling around 20 million euros.

The new season of performances, featuring nine titles including seven in the Bibiena Hall, will begin on March 2, 2025, in a theater with not only a new structure but also a new approach to programming and organization.

The restoration work is not just physical; it also includes a managerial and entrepreneurial transformation of the Lirica Foundation's management under the supervision of Elisabetta Riva, who took office halfway through 2025. Her goal is to increase the foundation's income sources by engaging more private donors and sponsors while preserving the institution's cultural and artistic identity. Riva has been working closely with the board of directors to achieve this.

The 2025 financial year ended with a production value of 26.4 million euros, up 5.5% from 2024, and a profit of 1.18 million euros, marking a significant improvement from the deficit of 1.6 million euros the previous year. In 2026, attendance increased by 6.7% in the first six months compared to the same period in 2025, with a particularly notable rise among visitors under 18, nearly doubling (+99%).

Private donations and sponsorship contributed to the foundation's revenue, amounting to about 2.3 million euros in the inaugural year, which has already reached approximately 2.7 million euros this year due to new projects launched. Two of these projects are tied to the theater renovation: one for office and catering facilities, funded by Alfasigma (1 million euros), and another for the internal hall, stage, vault, and portico renovations, involving six donors including Pelliconi, Alfasigma, Banca di Bologna, Reekep, IMA, and Stefano Golinelli.

Additionally, a Corporate Membership initiative ("I 72 Nostoi") was introduced in November last year, targeting private individuals, SMEs, and professionals with a membership fee starting at 15,000 euros. So far, 45 companies have joined, aiming to raise an additional million euros by 2028. These initiatives were also supported by Andrea Compagnucci, a delegate of Anfols (the association of Lirica-Sinfonia foundations), who promoted similar fundraising activities at the Arena of Verona and the Carlo Felice in Genoa.

Compagnucci notes that while public funds and ticket revenue are crucial, additional resources are needed, with Bologna requiring around 2 million euros annually, partly through fundraising and other activities like theater visits and space rentals.