The Association of Friends of the Opera was established in the early 1950s to alleviate the crisis the genre was undergoing after the Civil War. Ever since then, thanks to our members, patrons and sponsors, at the ABAO we have been taking the opera to its rightful place. Consequently, we have grown with regard to both the number of proposals scheduled as well as the variety of activities and events centred around opera

Throughout all these years, we have experienced substantial changes in our way of making opera, of bringing it to the public and even of thinking it. The modernization and the economic evolution of our society, as well as the tireless work of our group, have enabled opera to get closer and closer to its audience and have also enabled this audience to grow larger and larger every year.

Digitalization, social media and even a global pandemic have pushed us to reinvent ourselves every day and, thus, redefine opera at every step we take.

We know that we have a long way ahead, that opera has never been more alive and open to change, but we are backed by 70 years of experience. NOW, MORE THAN EVER, WE ARE MORE ABAO.

OUR STORY IN MAJOR EVENTS

• 1953

  
  

  he ABAO is founded and the first Opera Festival is held, with Tosca by Puccini

• 1989

  
  

  Start of the Didactic Programme

• 1990

  
  

  First Opera Season from September to May

• 1991

  
  

  The Basque Government recognises ABAO as an Entity of Public Interest

• 1999

  
  

  The move from Coliseo Albia to Palacio Euskalduna is approved

• 2000

  
  

  Performance no. 500, with Aida by Verdi

• 2006

  
  

  Start of the Tutto Verdi project and the Ópera Berri programme

• 2015

  
  

  Start of the Ópera y + programme at Cruces Hospital

• 2018

  
  

  Performance no. 1,000, without having cancelled any shows

• 2020

  
  

  Season interrupted by the pandemic and start of the ABAO at Home programme

• 2022

  
  

  The Tutto Verdi project comes to an end with the performance of Alzira