Management of Romanian Opera Theaters During the Pandemic Crisis – the Opera Consumer's Perspective

The paper investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management of opera houses in Romania, from the perspective of the opera consumer. It focuses on two important aspects related to the management of opera houses during the COVID-19 pandemic: the replacement of live performance with digital opera and the response of cultural institutions to the needs of the opera consumer community. These aspects were measured by consumer satisfaction regarding the replacement of live performance with digital opera and by the way in which opera houses responded to the needs of the community, during the lockdown period. The study analyzed how variables such as age and education level of consumers are associated, on the one hand, with consumer satisfaction regarding the replacement of live performance with digital opera (ÎC1), and on the other hand, with the assessment of the way in which cultural institutions responded, during the lockdown period, to the needs of the community (ÎC2). The results highlight significant differences between various audience groups, outlining distinct profiles of perception and cultural adaptation. The article highlights the role of demographic factors in shaping attitudes towards the digitalization of the lyrical theater experience and the importance of a flexible managerial strategy, oriented towards the diversified needs of post-pandemic opera consumers.