It’s one of those classic real estate conundrums: four heirs to a valuable estate; all want to sell; none can afford to buy the others out.

It’s not an uncommon circumstance among the monied classes, but this sale has far-reaching implications. The real estate in question is the house Giuseppe Verdi had built and lived in for 50 years, one in which he composed some of his greatest works, including La Traviata and Il Trovatore.

Villa Verdi, Sant’Agata, Italy. Photo © Maria Teresa / Flickr

Occupied by Verdi’s descendants since the composer’s death in 1901, the Villa Verdi served as a residence and museum until the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, when it – like all other museums in Italy – was forced to close. The decline in revenue forced the hand of the Verdi heirs and with expensive renovations bills on the horizon, the decision was made to put the house on the market.

The asking price? Somewhere in the region of €30m (AU$45m).

Concerned that the house may be bought and turned into a private residence, opera houses across Italy have joined a fund-raising campaign, Viva Verdi, to help the Italian...