by InTrieste
Two hundred employees of the Giuseppe Verdi Opera House in Trieste have declared a state of unrest, citing what they describe as a critical institutional void that has persisted since June, when the position of superintendent was left vacant. The announcement was made by the CGIL union, which has raised concerns about the stalled appointment process and its repercussions on the theater’s operations.
The workers had previously appealed to Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano, urging the government to unblock the nomination of the new superintendent of the Fondazione Teatro Lirico Giuseppe Verdi. With no progress reported, they now warn that the absence of leadership is creating unprecedented administrative and organizational challenges.
According to a leaflet distributed to residents, the lack of a superintendent has frozen permanent hires and delayed the renewal of seasonal contracts. Employees also note that several key managerial mandates—including those overseeing personnel, artistic direction, technical direction, and workplace safety—are set to expire at the end of the year. Without a superintendent in place, these positions cannot be renewed or reassigned, effectively paralyzing essential functions and jeopardizing future productions.
Union representatives further warn that the leadership gap may put certain funding streams at risk, adding financial uncertainty to an already fragile situation.
The opera house’s staff are now appealing to the public to remain attentive to the unfolding crisis, stressing the cultural and regional importance of the institution and the potential long-term consequences if the stalemate continues.
