SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

Explore an Australian Icon

With its unparalleled architecture and idyllic harbourside setting, the Sydney Opera House is one of the most famous buildings in the world and an iconic symbol of Australia.

This creative and cultural centrepiece is located in Bennelong Point on Sydney Harbour, home to the Cadigal people of the Eora Nation before European settlement. The Sydney Opera House project was commissioned in 1955 by the Australian government as part of a plan to revitalize Sydney's waterfront.

Over its spectacular fifty-year history, the Opera House has attracted a diverse and celebrated cohort of guests and performers. Along with an A-list line-up of opera, ballet, symphony and theatre greats, this prestigious venue has also hosted the likes of Pope John II, Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey, Sting, Sammy Davis Jr and Bob Dylan to name a few. Music from within the walls seems to breathe life into the white sails of the buildings roof, beckoning visitors to embark on a voyage of creative discovery.

Awe-inspiring Architecture

The multi-venue performing arts centre was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, who won an international design competition to create the opera house in 1957. Construction of this architectural masterpiece began in 1959. The building was built using precast concrete sections that were assembled on-site. After 14 years and some controversy in the making, the birth of an Aussie icon was witnessed with the official opening of the venue on 20 October 1973 by Queen Elizabeth II.

Since its opening, the Sydney Opera House quickly became one of the most recognizable structures in the world for its unique design, which blends elements of modern architecture with classical Greek and Roman styles. In 2003, the building was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize, architecture's highest honour, and is listed as a World Heritage Site. The Pritzker Prize citation read:

There is no doubt that the Sydney Opera House is his (Jørn Utzon’s) masterpiece. It is one of the great iconic buildings of the 20th century, an image of great beauty that has become known throughout the world – a symbol for not only a city but a whole country and continent.

The most notable feature of the opera house is its iconic shells that were designed to resemble sails. These ‘sails’ fan out from the top of the building, creating its distinctive and impressive silhouette. These unique structures were inspired by natural elements such as orange slices and rose petals. This brilliant design has been praised for its stunning architecture and its ability to integrate with its natural surroundings. The shells are made up of over one million glossy white ceramic tiles imported from Sweden. The opera house's roof also features a large glass window that allows natural light to enter the building.

A Creative and Cultural Centrepiece

The Sydney Opera House has multiple performance venues within its shell-like roofs. The largest venue is known as The Concert Hall, which can seat over 2,700 people. Other venues include The Opera Theatre, Drama Theatre, Playhouse Theatre, Studio Theatre, and Forecourt.

The Sydney Opera House has hosted countless performances and is home to Opera Australia, the Sydney Theatre Company, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. This building represents not just Australia's artistic achievements but also its cultural diversity. As well as being home to traditional Western arts like opera and ballet, it also houses Indigenous Australian dance and music, Asian art forms such as kabuki theatre, and contemporary works from diverse artists across Australia and the world.

In addition to its function as a performing arts centre, the Sydney Opera House offers tours daily for visitors to experience its architecture and history up close. A range of free and paid creative workshops and programs are also available for people of all ages and abilities in the building’s Centre for Creativity.

Accessibility:

The Sydney Opera House is a 6-minute walk from Circular Quay, which is regularly serviced by public buses, ferries and trains.

Sydney Opera House is missioned to provide barrier-free access, making the site, building and experiences accessible to all people. The Opera House provides a range of access services, performances, and dedicated programs for people with disabilities. The whole venue is wheelchair accessible, and assistant animals are welcomed to the building. To ensure appropriate seating is allocated, please advise your requirements when booking.

Audio description is available for selected performances to enhance the experience for patrons who are blind or have low vision. Trained volunteers deliver this live commentary of visual elements of a performance, which is relayed via a free headset and receiver. Companion cards are accepted for all performances. Please phone the priority booking line on 02 9250 7752 to make your booking or discuss your requirements. You can find out more accessible information by visiting the Sydney Opera House’s website.

To discover more fascinating stories about the design and cultural heritage of this famous Aussie icon check out the ‘House Stories’ podcast. Or tap into inspiration from some of the world’s most creative minds with the ‘Ideas at the House’ podcast. Both of these intriguing audio resources are found on Spotify and Apple Podcast.