This year Operabase celebrates its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of shaping how the global performing arts community works, collaborates, and connects. Founded in 1996 by Mike Gibb, Operabase was created to document opera performances on a single platform, and over the past three decades it has expanded beyond that original scope, developing into an essential professional resource.
The platform maintains the world’s most extensive structured record of performing arts performances, covers more than 1.1 million performances, features over 400,000 artist profiles and includes more than 64,000 organisations, ranging from opera houses and concert halls to orchestras, choirs and academic institutions.
Operabase is now managed by Arts Consolidated ApS, a technology company based in Copenhagen, Denmark. The CEO of Operabase is Ulrike Köstinger and we chatted to her when she took over the role in 2023 [see my interview]. About the current milestone, she commented:
“Reaching 30 years is an extraordinary moment for Operabase. What began as a record of performances has become essential infrastructure for artistic planning, casting and international collaboration. I’m deeply grateful to the artists and organisations who share their data, and to the professionals who rely on Operabase every day. As the sector evolves, our focus is clear: to keep listening, adapting and building the best tools that truly support artistic work worldwide.”
Operabase offers a free, publicly accessible database and a premium subscription designed for professionals. While audiences can explore upcoming performances, premium subscribers benefit from advanced tools for career planning, casting and artistic planning decision-making.
Further information from the Operabase website.
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