Operabase

Article summary

Operabase is an online global database for audiences and professionals. It lists details on opera performances, opera houses and companies, and performers as well as their agents. It was founded in 1996 by English software engineer and opera lover Mike Gibb. Initially a hobby site, it became his full-time occupation after three years. Opera magazine describes the Operabase website as "the most comprehensive source of data on operatic activity". Gibb sold Operabase to Truelinked in 2018. The company was then bought by Arts Consolidated (headquartered in Denmark) and relaunched in 2021. In September 2026, Arts Consolidated ApS's Operabase was acquired by Events.com, a US-based events-technology company, though it continues to be operated from Copenhagen. The management team is led by Bharani Vasudev Setlur (Chief Executive Officer), who succeeded Ulrike Köstinger in September 2026; other members of the management team include Peter Palludan (Chief Technology Officer).

Key claims

1. date of birth: 1900 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
2. date of formation: 2014 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
3. date of foundation: 1996 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95

Discussion questions

1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
2. The record states that the date of birth is "1900". What evidence would count against this claim?
3. The record states that the date of formation is "2014". What evidence would count against this claim?
4. The record states that the date of foundation is "1996". What evidence would count against this claim?
5. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
6. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

Bibliography

1. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1376113138