The phantom of the opera: Cultural amenities, human capital, and regional economic growth

► The study examines 29 opera houses built before 1800. ► Baroque opera houses are not theresult but a cause of regional economic growth. ► Well-educated workers prefer to live geographically close to cultural amenities. ► Proximity to cultural amenities can significantly increase regional growth. ► Political leaders should account for the indirect growth effect of cultural amenities.