Opera Foundations

Bologna, the opera house launches its first fundraising campaign

The 'Cantiere Itaca' project, linked to the Art Bonus tool, aims to raise three million euro from private individuals to contribute to the restoration and revitalisation of the Comunale

by R.I.T.

11 November 2025

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

The Fondazione Teatro Comunale di Bologna launches its first fundraising campaign to contribute to the restoration of the historical seat in Largo Respighi, scheduled for February 2027, which will not only be an architectural renovation, but also a step in the process of relaunching and transforming the opera house.

The 72 Nostoi, patrons for Bologna

This is how the "Cantiere Itaca" project was born, which integrates the restoration work started by the Municipality of Bologna with the interventions carried out by the Teatro Comunale, the management reorganisation of the Foundation and an innovative fundraising programme, which aims to raise two million euro for building restoration and one million euro for the renewal of the artistic and social content through a membership dedicated to private individuals: "I 72 Nostoi", is the name of the patronage project that will run from 2025 to 2028. In addition to the public resources already put in place, the contribution of private individuals will be fundamental, allowing the scope of the work to be extended, not only in the urgency of the site but also in the future, continuing to support the restoration, maintenance and modernisation of the city theatre.

The role of the public

The Municipality of Bologna has earmarked - including its own funds, resources linked to the NRP and other European funding - EUR 14 million for works to be completed by the beginning of 2027. The interventions envisage a significant urban redevelopment of via del Guasto, with the creation of a new access to the theatre, a ticket office, a bookstore, a bistro, as well as the restoration of the street and surrounding areas, energy efficiency and the renovation of the orchestra's dressing rooms, the toilets for the public, the laboratories and the rehearsal room.

An additional EUR 6 million of public funds are also earmarked for the restoration of the stage machinery, the execution of which, divided into phases so as not to affect artistic activity, will be completed by 2028.

Private sector interventions

The appeal to the private sector, on the other hand, concerns the public spaces - the Respighi and Rossini foyers, the Rotonda Gluck, the tiers of boxes and the vault of the Sala Bibiena - for a total investment estimated at around 2 million euro, in addition to the million already donated by Alfasigma, which has adopted the refurbishment of the offices of the Sovrintendenza, the Artistic Direction and the Marketing Area, the construction of a lift, the recovery and enhancement of the Sala Cappelli and the creation of a kitchen to serve the Rossini Foyer and the terrace.

Alongside the resources for the container, the renovation of the content also requires an additional EUR 1 million per year. This is where private individuals - companies or citizens - come in, who, thanks to the tax tool of the Art Bonus, will be able to join the annual membership 'The 72 Nostoi. The Circle of Return', inspired by the return journeys of the Achaean heroes after the Trojan War: a symbol of sharing, belonging and a common path 'Towards Ithaca'.

This is a concrete commitment with a strong symbolic value, which will support the comprehensive renovation masterplan and reinforce, year after year, the role of the Comunale as the leader of Bologna's musical life and the world capital of music. The 72 patrons will receive invitations to the premieres of the most representative performances and appointments, access to exclusive meetings with artists, previews, rehearsals and the special projects of 'Cantiere Itaca'.

Membership details

The membership is divided into four donation levels - Helmsmen, Forerunners, Seers and Sailors - with different membership values. Individuals will also be able to make donations, benefiting from the tax breaks provided.

he 'I 72 Nostoi' project uses the Art Bonus tool, created for the protection and enhancement of Italy's historical and artistic heritage, which allows patrons and companies to receive a tax credit equal to 65% of the value of the donation in just three years.

"Like Ulysses, forced on a long voyage far from home, we face trials, obstacles and storms, but at the same time we discover new worlds, new ways and new alliances," comments TCBO's Superintendent Elisabetta Riva. "Our landing place is the restored venue: a rediscovered and relaunched theatre, in which we renew the profound sense of our identity as promoters of public culture. We are all protagonists in this epic: brave and daring like Ulysses, transformative like Circe, custodians of tradition like Penelope. Because the journey is never made alone. Linking ourselves ideally to our new Season 2026 "Towards Ithaca", "The 72 Nostoi" are thus born: fellow travellers, cultural heroes, generous souls sharing a common destiny, that of return".