Almost 320,000 people attended the concerts programmed by L’Auditori in 2014, representing an increase of almost 11.7% on the previous year. With joint productions and concerts hosted by L’Auditori, this figure rises to nearly 350,000. In addition to attracting larger audiences, the revenues generated from L’Auditori’s own productions also increased. Box office takings in 2014 totalled 3.6 million euros, an increase of 11% on 2013.

Average attendance rates, i.e. the percentage of available seats occupied, also rose, up by 6 percentage points from 73% in 2013 to 79% in 2014. These increases were mainly due to higher attendance rates at the concerts offered by L’Auditori’s Servei Educatiu(Educational Service) and at programmed concerts excluding those of the OBC season.

Higher attendance figures for all concert cycles
The concerts programmed under the L’Auditori+ banner, reformulated from September as the new Música Antiga, Cambra, Amplificats, Sampler Sèries, Escenes and Afters cycles, saw the most spectacular growth in 2014. Audiences for the concerts offered as part of these cycles increased by 55%, with attendance rates up from 77% to 84%. This increase was particularly notable from September to December 2014, coinciding with the start of the new season (14/15) and the changes introduced in L’Auditori’s programming strategy. Another key figure which reflects L’Auditori’s commitment to developing its programme is the number of concerts, with 60 more in 2014 than in 2013, an increase of 82%.

The number of concerts offered by L’Auditori’s Servei Educatiu (Educational Service) for schools and family audiences also increased significantly, and saw extremely high attendance rates (87% in 2014). These concerts were attended by over 126,000 people, an increase of 13%.
Audience figures for the concerts of the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra (OBC) were also up, by 3%, while box office takings increased by a much more impressive 11.8% in 2014. The main reason for this gap between the increase in audience numbers and takings was a considerable reduction in the number of complimentary tickets issued.

Good figures for the start of the new season
The positive trends in audience numbers, attendance rates and takings have not only continued but accelerated. Audience figures for the first five months of the 2014-2015 season (October 2014 to February 2015) were up by 20% compared with the same period of the previous season. Revenues were also up by 16% in these first months of the current season, with a 53% increase in the number of concerts. These increases have been mainly driven by L’Auditori’s own programme of concerts (Música Antiga, Cambra, Amplificats, Sampler Sèries, Escenes y Afters), the Barcelona Symphony Band and the Servei Educatiu (Educational Service), principally as a result of the changes to the programming strategy introduced this season.


A significant reduction in L’Auditori’s deficit
The positive results achieved in the financial year are reflected in a 60% reduction in the operating deficit carried over from the previous year, from 1.6 million euros to 611,000 euros.

This reduction in the operating deficit forms part of the new management strategy being implemented by L’Auditori, and is thanks to a 575,000 euros (19%) increase in box office takings while total spending in the year was cut by 759,000 euros (4%) to 19.1 million euros.

This reduction in spending did not affect artistic output at all. In fact, spending on artistic activities increased by 9% in 2014, with spending under this heading up by 223,000 euros on the previous year and the number of concerts increasing from 409 to 465.
These figures reflect the new management strategy being implemented in order to position L’Auditori at the heart of Barcelona’s music scene and make it a leading venue for live music while ensuring it is run along the most business-like lines possible. Management efforts therefore focus on investing in the musical development of L’Auditori while at the same time rationalising and optimising resources. This strategy is enabling L’Auditori to considerably reduce its operating deficit while raising its profile as a provider of quality music.