Last 25 October was the seventh edition of World Opera Day and opera houses, festivals and artists around the world came together to celebrate our alive and kicking art form. The day offered proof that opera remains an art form of connection, creativity, and has ties to many different stakeholders within communities.
Opera Europa launched a communications campaign based on surveys conducted in the opera sector in Europe, and highlighted a vibrant and forward-looking opera sector. In 2024, European companies sold over 22 million tickets for opera and 4 million for performances for children and young people, while 90% offered free experiences such as concerts, streaming and open-air events. Over the past decade, they have presented more than 3,600 works, including 406 new operas, reaffirming that opera is an alive art form! You can find and use our vignettes in the press & communications section on www.worldoperaday.com.
Opera Europa’s partnership with the free online media The European Correspondent brought our ‘4 things you probably didn’t know about opera’ message to new audiences, sharing our featured video with their 51.000 subscribers, and gathering 30.000 views on their social media platforms within 24h (and still growing!).
Across the world, opera companies organised special activities, such as a surprise concert from Hessisches Staatsoper Wiesbaden on the market square of the city; a free open air concert organised by the Teatro Lirico di Cagliari; open doors and participatory events at Fondazione Haydn in Bolzano and at Croatian National Theatre Zagreb; a free concert and a choral workshop for children was organised by Regione Lombardia in Milano. Opera Holland Park in London celebrated World Opera Day with a series of free community activities at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, while the Hungarian State Opera in Budapest presented a special programme for children throughout the day.
In Chile, Lírica Disidente and the University of Chile launched Ópera Abierta offering free performances across Santiago’s neighbourhoods, while the Teatro Municipal de Santiago hosted a new play, a choral concert, and a costume sale. Ecuador’s Fundación Teatro Nacional had a special concert for the day!
Many companies created special content for World Opera Day for their social media channels. La Monnaie/De Munt invited their staff to vote for their favorite opera. Estonian National Opera & Ballet showcased the various roles and individuals involved in the production process. Teatro Regio di Parma published a vlog on life as a young singer at Accademia Verdiana. Meanwhile, the Opéra National de Paris highlighted its international activities through projects around the world.
The seventh edition of World Opera Day made a significant impact on social media. The campaign generated 3,500 mentions, reaching an impressive 336.7 million people worldwide. Engagement was strong, with 5.4 million interactions, and sentiment was overwhelmingly positive – 98% of mentions were favorable, while only 2% were negative. These results reflect the global enthusiasm and vibrant online celebration of opera.
Célia Grau
Sustainability & Special Projects Manager
