Celebrated mezzo calls for ‘politicians’ to go after sacking of entire orchestra and chorus.

Italy has frequently been called the cradle of opera. But as nurseries go, it has frequently seen passions running at fever pitch while the artform has proved the most turbulent of children – especially in its homeland. Rome Opera is the latest company to fall victim to what has been seen as a mounting nationwide crisis – the result, some say, of years of mismanagement plus a chronic problem with on-going arts funding exacerbated by the sluggish European economy.

Last month the Rome Opera’s honorary music director Riccardo Muti quit following six years marred by artistic and political infighting, strikes – threatened and realised – and a slew of financial problems. Two weeks later, the current Intendant Carlo Fuortes and his board decided to sack the entire orchestra and chorus – almost 200 artists out of a staff of around 600. The move prompted the opposition Cultural Affairs Minister Dario Franceschini to call for Fuortes’ resignation. Now, it appears, celebrated mezzo soprano Cecilia Bartoli has weighed in with a forthright interview in Italy’s online news service ANSA.

“We must find a solution!” said Bartoli,...