Celebrating 30 years of Operabase

Operabase celebrates 30 years supporting the global performing arts community and shaping how artists and organisations connect worldwide.

In 2026, Operabase marks its 30th anniversary, celebrating three decades of supporting the global performing arts community.

Founded in 1996 by Mike Gibb as a platform to document opera performances, Operabase has grown into a trusted international resource used by more than 6 million people worldwide. Today, it supports artists, organisations and industry professionals across Europe, the US, Japan, Korea, Australia, South Africa, Brazil and beyond.

Over the years, Operabase has expanded far beyond its original scope. The platform now documents more than 1.1 million performances, includes over 400,000 artist profiles and features more than 64,000 organisations ranging from opera houses and orchestras to festivals, choirs and academic institutions. Its tools support discovery, research, casting and artistic planning, helping professionals navigate an increasingly international performing arts landscape.

“We cannot imagine how we did casting before Operabase,” says Hein Mulders, Intendant at Oper Köln. Michael Heaston, Deputy General Manager at the Metropolitan Opera, describes it as an “indispensable resource” for casting and artistic planning.

Reflecting on the milestone, CEO Ulrike Köstinger emphasises the role of the community behind the platform: “Reaching 30 years is an extraordinary moment for Operabase. As the sector evolves, our focus is clear: to keep listening, adapting and building tools that truly support artistic work worldwide.”

Throughout the anniversary year, Operabase will reflect on its history, celebrate the community behind the data, and look ahead to how it can continue supporting the evolving needs of the performing arts sector.