L’auditori, 25 anys

The creation of L’Auditori, 25 years ago, also marked a cultural revolution for a district still under construction. L’Auditori was a bold commitment by the city to turn the Poblenou-Glòries and Fort Pienc axis into a hub of innovation and cultural dynamism in Barcelona through music.

The project, inspired by the Cité de la musique in Paris, aimed to provide a structural response to the needs of the musical ecosystem: a permanent home for the country’s symphony orchestra to ensure its artistic development, a true symphonic hall for the city, and an institutional hub for the sector — one capable of bringing together both the city’s diverse music scenes and higher education. This paradigm shift, within the context of Barcelona’s international positioning following the Olympic Games, led to the birth of a true city of music.

Over these 25 years, L’Auditori has played a key role in the world of music. It has been a window to the world and has broadened the range of voices and formats. Two figures help illustrate the scale of its success: 14,000 concerts organized and 11 million attendees. However, these numbers still do not fully reflect the far-reaching impact L’Auditori has had, both on the city and the country as a whole. We must also count all those who have taken part in family activities, social inclusion projects, or educational programs at all levels of formal education.

Until June, an exhibition curated by Abacus looks back on L’Auditori’s past 25 years. Open to all audiences, the show revisits the major musical milestones and the venue’s relationship with the neighbourhood and the city. And, finally, it highlights the creation of an institutional constellation dedicated to music: the OBC, the Municipal Band, ESMUC, and the Museu de la Música.