The Association, founded by the Municipality and the Province Association of Macerata, was officially acknowledged in 1992 and, since then, it has been planning and managing the activity of MacerataOpera. With Claudio Orazi as superintendent, a new phase began for the Sferisterio in 1992, opting for great productions which could fully exalt the unique space of this open air theatre. Unforgettable performances have been given since then, like the magical Traviata directed by Henning Brockhaus, with its huge, moving mirror which brought to the Sferisterio the Abbiati Musical Critic Award. This prize was obtained again in 1996, with the amazing Turandot designed by Hugo de Ana. Alongside the most prominent singers (Renato Bruson, Luciana Serra, Josè Carreras, Luciana D’Intino, Alessandra Marc), a number of emerging performers have performed at the Sferisterio (Roberto Aronica, Valeria Esposito), their brilliant carrier having started here.

The Association is strongly committed to the education of new audiences, which are invited to get acquainted with the Sferisterio by means of a number of initiatives: from special fees to educational and cultural activities organized with schools, the University and Fine Arts Academy of Macerata plus several associations, the aim is to promote knowledge and appreciation of the performances by young people, elderly citizens and disabled.

Alongside the main activity at the Sferisterio, the Association organizes a host of other musical events, ranging from the widely-appreciated New Music Festival to the performances of baroque music, as a result of a long-standing research project for the recovery and appreciation of rare musical scores which are kept in libraries and archives throughout the region. Last but not least, camera and symphony concerts are held in a number of historical sites and buildings. The Association also organizes international conferences.

Since october 2005, Pier Luigi Pizzi has taken the role of Artistic Director.