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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.
he ABAO is founded and the first Opera Festival is held, with Tosca by Puccini
Start of the Didactic Programme
First Opera Season from September to May
The Basque Government recognises ABAO as an Entity of Public Interest
The move from Coliseo Albia to Palacio Euskalduna is approved
Performance no. 500, with Aida by Verdi
Start of the Tutto Verdi project and the 脫pera Berri programme
Start of the 脫pera y + programme at Cruces Hospital
Performance no. 1,000, without having cancelled any shows
Season interrupted by the pandemic and start of the ABAO at Home programme
The Tutto Verdi project comes to an end with the performance of Alzira