Guided tours are available, including a frequent tour of the front-of-house spaces, and a daily backstage tour that takes visitors backstage to see areas normally reserved for performers and crew members. ==History== ===Construction history=== ====Origins==== Planning began in the late 1940s when Eugene Goossens, the Director of the NSW State Conservatorium of Music, lobbied for a suitable venue for large theatrical productions.
By 1954, Goossens succeeded in gaining the support of NSW Premier Joseph Cahill, who called for designs for a dedicated opera house.
It was also Goossens who insisted that Bennelong Point be the site: Cahill had wanted it to be on or near Wynyard Railway Station in the northwest of the CBD. An international design competition was launched by Cahill on 13 September 1955 and received 233 entries, representing architects from 32 countries.
3, 1998, (pp. 33–34, 1 ill.). Watson, Anne (editor), "Building a Masterpiece: The Sydney Opera House", Lund Humphries, 2006, , . Webber, Peter, "Peter Hall: The Phantom of the Opera House", The Watermark Press, 2012, . Woolley, Ken, Reviewing the performance: the design of the Sydney Opera House, The Watermark Press, 2010, . ==Archival holdings== NRS 12825 – Competition drawings submitted by Jørn Utzon to the Opera House Committee, 1956.
It is one of the 20th century's most famous and distinctive buildings. Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, but completed by an Australian architectural team headed up by Peter Hall, the building was formally opened on 20 October 1973 after a gestation beginning with Utzon's 1957 selection as winner of an international design competition.
The criteria specified a large hall seating 3,000 and a small hall for 1,200 people, each to be designed for different uses, including full-scale operas, orchestral and choral concerts, mass meetings, lectures, ballet performances, and other presentations. The winner, announced in 1957, was Jørn Utzon, a Danish architect.
Utzon visited Sydney in 1957 to help supervise the project.
Fees and other costs: $16.5m. The original cost and scheduling estimates in 1957 projected a cost of £3,500,000 ($7 million) and completion date of 26 January 1963 (Australia Day).
The Assessors Report of January 1957, stated: For the first stage, Utzon worked successfully with the rest of the design team and the client, but, as the project progressed, the Cahill government insisted on progressive revisions.
The Government of New South Wales, led by the premier, Joseph Cahill, authorised work to begin in 1958 with Utzon directing construction.
The Pritzker Prize citation read: ====Design and construction==== The Fort Macquarie Tram Depot, occupying the site at the time of these plans, was demolished in 1958 and construction began in March 1959.
The Pritzker Prize citation read: ====Design and construction==== The Fort Macquarie Tram Depot, occupying the site at the time of these plans, was demolished in 1958 and construction began in March 1959.
It was built in three stages: stage I (1959–1963) consisted of building the upper podium; stage II (1963–1967) the construction of the outer shells; stage III (1967–1973) interior design and construction. ====Stage I: Podium==== Stage I commenced on 2 March 1959 with the construction firm Civil & Civic, monitored by the engineers Ove Arup and Partners.
The prominent paralympian athlete Louise Sauvage was announced as the building's "accessibility ambassador" to advise on further improvements to aid people with disabilities. On 29 March 2016, an original 1959 tapestry by Le Corbusier (2.18 x 3.55 metres), commissioned by Utzon to be hung in the Sydney Opera House and called Les Dés Sont Jetés (The Dice Are Cast), was finally unveiled in situ after being owned by the Utzon family and held at their home in Denmark for over 50 years.
By 23 January 1961, work was running 47 weeks behind, mainly because of unexpected difficulties (inclement weather, unexpected difficulty diverting stormwater, construction beginning before proper construction drawings had been prepared, changes of original contract documents).
On 6 April 1962, it was estimated that the Opera House would be completed between August 1964 and March 1965. =====Stage III: Interiors===== Stage III, the interiors, started with Utzon moving his entire office to Sydney in February 1963.
His office moved to Palm Beach, Sydney in February 1963. Utzon received the Pritzker Architecture Prize, architecture's highest honour, in 2003.
Work on the podium was finally completed in February 1963.
On 6 April 1962, it was estimated that the Opera House would be completed between August 1964 and March 1965. =====Stage III: Interiors===== Stage III, the interiors, started with Utzon moving his entire office to Sydney in February 1963.
Fees and other costs: $16.5m. The original cost and scheduling estimates in 1957 projected a cost of £3,500,000 ($7 million) and completion date of 26 January 1963 (Australia Day).
On 6 April 1962, it was estimated that the Opera House would be completed between August 1964 and March 1965. =====Stage III: Interiors===== Stage III, the interiors, started with Utzon moving his entire office to Sydney in February 1963.
While there he established himself as a talented design architect with a number of court and university buildings, including the Goldstein Hall at the University of New South Wales, which won the Sir John Sulman Medal in 1964. Hall resigned from the Government Architects office in early 1966 to pursue his own practice.
On 6 April 1962, it was estimated that the Opera House would be completed between August 1964 and March 1965. =====Stage III: Interiors===== Stage III, the interiors, started with Utzon moving his entire office to Sydney in February 1963.
However, there was a change of government in 1965, and the new Robert Askin government declared the project under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Works.
The building was unique, and the problems with the design issues and cost increases were exacerbated by commencement of work before the completion of the final plans. After the 1965 election of the Liberal Party, with Robert Askin becoming Premier of New South Wales, the relationship of client, architect, engineers and contractors became increasingly tense.
Ove Arup actually stated that Utzon was "probably the best of any I have come across in my long experience of working with architects" and: "The Opera House could become the world's foremost contemporary masterpiece if Utzon is given his head." In October 1965, Utzon gave Hughes a schedule setting out the completion dates of parts of his work for stage III.
Due to the Ministry's criticism of the project's costs and time, along with their impression of Utzon's designs being impractical, this ultimately led to his resignation in 1966 (see below). The cost of the project so far, even in October 1966, was still only A$22.9 million, less than a quarter of the final $102 million cost.
By February 1966, Utzon was owed more than $100,000 in fees.
Goodbye." Utzon left the project on 28 February 1966.
In March 1966, Hughes offered him a subordinate role as "design architect" under a panel of executive architects, without any supervisory powers over the House's construction, but Utzon rejected this.
One would not like history to record that this partnership was brought to an end by a fit of temper on the one side or by a fit of meanness on the other." On 17 March 1966, the Herald offered the view that: "It was not his [Utzon's] fault that a succession of Governments and the Opera House Trust should so signally have failed to impose any control or order on the project ...
While there he established himself as a talented design architect with a number of court and university buildings, including the Goldstein Hall at the University of New South Wales, which won the Sir John Sulman Medal in 1964. Hall resigned from the Government Architects office in early 1966 to pursue his own practice.
Peter Hall was one of the many who had signed the petition that called for Utzon's reinstatement. When Hall agreed to the design role and was appointed in April 1966, he imagined he would find the design and documentation for the Stage III well advanced.
In consultation with all the potential building users, the first Review of Program was completed in January 1967.
In reality, the project was completed ten years late and 1,357% over budget in real terms. ==== Strike and Workers' Control ==== In 1972, a construction worker was fired, leading the BLF affiliated workers to demand his rehiring and a 25% wage increase.
It is one of the 20th century's most famous and distinctive buildings. Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, but completed by an Australian architectural team headed up by Peter Hall, the building was formally opened on 20 October 1973 after a gestation beginning with Utzon's 1957 selection as winner of an international design competition.
The Concert Hall has a very high roof, leading to a lack of early reflections onstage—perspex rings (the "acoustic clouds") hanging over the stage were added shortly before opening in an (unsuccessful) attempt to address this problem. ====Completion and cost==== The Opera House was formally completed in 1973, having cost $102 million.
"Sam" Hoare, the Hornibrook director in charge of the project, provided the following approximations in 1973: Stage I: podium Civil & Civic Pty Ltd approximately $5.5m. Stage II: roof shells M.R.
Another Danish firm, Steensen Varming, was responsible for designing the new air-conditioning plant, the largest in Australia at the time, supplying over of air per minute, using the innovative idea of harnessing the harbour water to create a water-cooled heat pump system that is still in operation today. ===Opening=== The Sydney Opera House was formally opened by Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia on 20 October 1973.
Rites of Passage was premiered almost exactly a year later, on 27 September 1974.) The first evening performance of an opera was Larry Sitsky's The Fall of the House of Usher, conducted by Rex Hobcroft and paired with Dalgerie by James Penberthy, to a libretto by Mary Durack; it took place on 25 July 1973. The first public concert in the Concert Hall took place on 29 September 1973.
A survey conducted on 8 October by market research firm Micromex found that 81% of those surveyed were not supportive of the premier's direction. ==Notable performances== 1960 – The first person to perform at the Sydney Opera House was Paul Robeson – he sang "Ol' Man River" to the construction workers as they ate lunch. 1973 – Sergei Prokofiev's War and Peace, on 28 September 1973. 1973 - Opening gala concert in the concert hall with music by Richard Wagner.
Rites of Passage was premiered almost exactly a year later, on 27 September 1974.) The first evening performance of an opera was Larry Sitsky's The Fall of the House of Usher, conducted by Rex Hobcroft and paired with Dalgerie by James Penberthy, to a libretto by Mary Durack; it took place on 25 July 1973. The first public concert in the Concert Hall took place on 29 September 1973.
The building is managed by the Sydney Opera House Trust, an agency of the New South Wales State Government. On 28 June 2007, the Sydney Opera House became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, having been listed on the (now defunct) Register of the National Estate since 1980, the National Trust of Australia register since 1983, the City of Sydney Heritage Inventory since 2000, the New South Wales State Heritage Register since 2003, and the Australian National Heritage List since 2005.
The building is managed by the Sydney Opera House Trust, an agency of the New South Wales State Government. On 28 June 2007, the Sydney Opera House became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, having been listed on the (now defunct) Register of the National Estate since 1980, the National Trust of Australia register since 1983, the City of Sydney Heritage Inventory since 2000, the New South Wales State Heritage Register since 2003, and the Australian National Heritage List since 2005.
(A small publication intended to gather public opinion to bring Utzon back to the project.) Hubble, Ava, The Strange Case of Eugene Goossens and Other Tales from The Opera House, Collins Publishers, Australia, 1988.
The concert closed with the Immolation Scene from Götterdämmerung. After the opening: The first violin and piano recital was given by Wanda Wiłkomirska, with pianist Geoffrey Parsons. ==Reconciliation with Utzon; building refurbishment== In the late 1990s, the Sydney Opera House Trust resumed communication with Utzon in an attempt to effect a reconciliation and to secure his involvement in future changes to the building.
The Concert Hall is scheduled for work in 2020–2021. ==Public and commemorative events== In 1993, Constantine Koukias was commissioned by the Sydney Opera House Trust in association with REM Theatre to compose Icon, a large-scale music theatre piece for the 20th anniversary of the Sydney Opera House. During the 2000 Summer Olympics, the venue served as the focal point for the triathlon events.
3, 1998 (p. 116); Architecture + Design (New Delhi), Vol.
5, 1998 (pp. 12–14); Collage (Berne), No.
3, 1998, (pp. 33–34, 1 ill.). Watson, Anne (editor), "Building a Masterpiece: The Sydney Opera House", Lund Humphries, 2006, , . Webber, Peter, "Peter Hall: The Phantom of the Opera House", The Watermark Press, 2012, . Woolley, Ken, Reviewing the performance: the design of the Sydney Opera House, The Watermark Press, 2010, . ==Archival holdings== NRS 12825 – Competition drawings submitted by Jørn Utzon to the Opera House Committee, 1956.
In 1999, he was appointed by the Trust as a design consultant for future work. In 2004, the first interior space rebuilt to an Utzon design was opened, and renamed "The Utzon Room" in his honour.
Utzon died on 29 November 2008. A state memorial service, attended by Utzon's son Jan and daughter Lin, celebrating his creative genius, was held in the Concert Hall on 25 March 2009 featuring performances, readings and recollections from prominent figures in the Australian performing arts scene. Refurbished Western Foyer and Accessibility improvements were commissioned on 17 November 2009, the largest building project completed since Utzon was re-engaged in 1999.
The building is managed by the Sydney Opera House Trust, an agency of the New South Wales State Government. On 28 June 2007, the Sydney Opera House became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, having been listed on the (now defunct) Register of the National Estate since 1980, the National Trust of Australia register since 1983, the City of Sydney Heritage Inventory since 2000, the New South Wales State Heritage Register since 2003, and the Australian National Heritage List since 2005.
His design for the Concert Hall was rejected as it only seated 2000, which was considered insufficient.
The Concert Hall is scheduled for work in 2020–2021. ==Public and commemorative events== In 1993, Constantine Koukias was commissioned by the Sydney Opera House Trust in association with REM Theatre to compose Icon, a large-scale music theatre piece for the 20th anniversary of the Sydney Opera House. During the 2000 Summer Olympics, the venue served as the focal point for the triathlon events.
The building is managed by the Sydney Opera House Trust, an agency of the New South Wales State Government. On 28 June 2007, the Sydney Opera House became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, having been listed on the (now defunct) Register of the National Estate since 1980, the National Trust of Australia register since 1983, the City of Sydney Heritage Inventory since 2000, the New South Wales State Heritage Register since 2003, and the Australian National Heritage List since 2005.
His office moved to Palm Beach, Sydney in February 1963. Utzon received the Pritzker Architecture Prize, architecture's highest honour, in 2003.
In 1999, he was appointed by the Trust as a design consultant for future work. In 2004, the first interior space rebuilt to an Utzon design was opened, and renamed "The Utzon Room" in his honour.
(Ava Hubble was Press Officer for the Sydney Opera House for 15 years.) Opera House an architectural "tragedy", ABC News Online, 28 April 2005. Murray, Peter "The Saga of Sydney Opera House: The Dramatic Story of the Design and Construction of the Icon of Modern Australia", Publisher Taylor & Francis, 2004, , 9780415325226 Stübe, Katarina and Utzon, Jan, Sydney Opera House: A Tribute to Jørn Utzon.
The building is managed by the Sydney Opera House Trust, an agency of the New South Wales State Government. On 28 June 2007, the Sydney Opera House became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, having been listed on the (now defunct) Register of the National Estate since 1980, the National Trust of Australia register since 1983, the City of Sydney Heritage Inventory since 2000, the New South Wales State Heritage Register since 2003, and the Australian National Heritage List since 2005.
(Ava Hubble was Press Officer for the Sydney Opera House for 15 years.) Opera House an architectural "tragedy", ABC News Online, 28 April 2005. Murray, Peter "The Saga of Sydney Opera House: The Dramatic Story of the Design and Construction of the Icon of Modern Australia", Publisher Taylor & Francis, 2004, , 9780415325226 Stübe, Katarina and Utzon, Jan, Sydney Opera House: A Tribute to Jørn Utzon.
3, 1998, (pp. 33–34, 1 ill.). Watson, Anne (editor), "Building a Masterpiece: The Sydney Opera House", Lund Humphries, 2006, , . Webber, Peter, "Peter Hall: The Phantom of the Opera House", The Watermark Press, 2012, . Woolley, Ken, Reviewing the performance: the design of the Sydney Opera House, The Watermark Press, 2010, . ==Archival holdings== NRS 12825 – Competition drawings submitted by Jørn Utzon to the Opera House Committee, 1956.
The building is managed by the Sydney Opera House Trust, an agency of the New South Wales State Government. On 28 June 2007, the Sydney Opera House became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, having been listed on the (now defunct) Register of the National Estate since 1980, the National Trust of Australia register since 1983, the City of Sydney Heritage Inventory since 2000, the New South Wales State Heritage Register since 2003, and the Australian National Heritage List since 2005.
In April 2007, he proposed a major reconstruction of the Opera Theatre, as it was then known.
Utzon died on 29 November 2008. A state memorial service, attended by Utzon's son Jan and daughter Lin, celebrating his creative genius, was held in the Concert Hall on 25 March 2009 featuring performances, readings and recollections from prominent figures in the Australian performing arts scene. Refurbished Western Foyer and Accessibility improvements were commissioned on 17 November 2009, the largest building project completed since Utzon was re-engaged in 1999.
Includes 'Sydney Opera House' by Laila Ellmoos, 2008 and 'Utzon's Opera House' by Eoghan Lewis, 2014. Sydney Opera House at Google Cultural Institute LIFE Magazine Jan.
Utzon died on 29 November 2008. A state memorial service, attended by Utzon's son Jan and daughter Lin, celebrating his creative genius, was held in the Concert Hall on 25 March 2009 featuring performances, readings and recollections from prominent figures in the Australian performing arts scene. Refurbished Western Foyer and Accessibility improvements were commissioned on 17 November 2009, the largest building project completed since Utzon was re-engaged in 1999.
3, 1998, (pp. 33–34, 1 ill.). Watson, Anne (editor), "Building a Masterpiece: The Sydney Opera House", Lund Humphries, 2006, , . Webber, Peter, "Peter Hall: The Phantom of the Opera House", The Watermark Press, 2012, . Woolley, Ken, Reviewing the performance: the design of the Sydney Opera House, The Watermark Press, 2010, . ==Archival holdings== NRS 12825 – Competition drawings submitted by Jørn Utzon to the Opera House Committee, 1956.
3, 1998, (pp. 33–34, 1 ill.). Watson, Anne (editor), "Building a Masterpiece: The Sydney Opera House", Lund Humphries, 2006, , . Webber, Peter, "Peter Hall: The Phantom of the Opera House", The Watermark Press, 2012, . Woolley, Ken, Reviewing the performance: the design of the Sydney Opera House, The Watermark Press, 2010, . ==Archival holdings== NRS 12825 – Competition drawings submitted by Jørn Utzon to the Opera House Committee, 1956.
The event had a swimming loop at Farm Cove, along with competitions in the neighbouring Royal Botanical Gardens for the cycling and running portions of the event. Since 2013, a group of residents from the nearby Bennelong Apartments (better known as 'The Toaster'), calling themselves the Sydney Opera House Concerned Citizens Group, have been campaigning against Forecourt Concerts on the grounds that they exceed noise levels outlined in the development approval (DA).
The residents opposing the concerts contend that a new DA should have been filed rather than an amendment. The Sydney Opera House sails formed a graphic projection-screen in a lightshow mounted in connection with the International Fleet Review in Sydney Harbour on 5 October 2013. On 31 December 2013, the venue's 40th anniversary year, a New Year firework display was mounted for the first time in a decade.
The Sydney Opera House hosted an event, 'the biggest blind date' on Friday 21 February 2014 that won an historic Guinness World Record.
Includes 'Sydney Opera House' by Laila Ellmoos, 2008 and 'Utzon's Opera House' by Eoghan Lewis, 2014. Sydney Opera House at Google Cultural Institute LIFE Magazine Jan.
The tapestry was bought at auction by the Sydney Opera House in June 2015.
In February 2017 the NSW Department of Planning and the Environment handed down a $15,000 fine to the Sydney Opera House for breach of allowed noise levels at a concert held in November 2015.
The prominent paralympian athlete Louise Sauvage was announced as the building's "accessibility ambassador" to advise on further improvements to aid people with disabilities. On 29 March 2016, an original 1959 tapestry by Le Corbusier (2.18 x 3.55 metres), commissioned by Utzon to be hung in the Sydney Opera House and called Les Dés Sont Jetés (The Dice Are Cast), was finally unveiled in situ after being owned by the Utzon family and held at their home in Denmark for over 50 years.
However, the DA was amended in 2016 to allow an increase in noise levels in the forecourt by 5 decibels.
It now hangs in the building's Western Foyer and is accessible to the public. In the second half of 2017, the Joan Sutherland Theatre was closed to replace the stage machinery and for other works.
In February 2017 the NSW Department of Planning and the Environment handed down a $15,000 fine to the Sydney Opera House for breach of allowed noise levels at a concert held in November 2015.
The longest continuous serving employee was commemorated on 27 June 2018, for 50 years of service. On 14 June 2019, a state memorial service for former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke was held at the Sydney Opera House. ==Advertising controversy== On 5 October 2018 the Opera House chief executive Louise Herron clashed with Sydney radio commentator Alan Jones, who called for her sacking for refusing to allow Racing NSW to use the Opera House sails to advertise The Everest horse race.
The political view was not supported by significant public opinion, with a petition against the advertising collecting over 298,000 names by 9 October 2018.
The longest continuous serving employee was commemorated on 27 June 2018, for 50 years of service. On 14 June 2019, a state memorial service for former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke was held at the Sydney Opera House. ==Advertising controversy== On 5 October 2018 the Opera House chief executive Louise Herron clashed with Sydney radio commentator Alan Jones, who called for her sacking for refusing to allow Racing NSW to use the Opera House sails to advertise The Everest horse race.
The Concert Hall is scheduled for work in 2020–2021. ==Public and commemorative events== In 1993, Constantine Koukias was commissioned by the Sydney Opera House Trust in association with REM Theatre to compose Icon, a large-scale music theatre piece for the 20th anniversary of the Sydney Opera House. During the 2000 Summer Olympics, the venue served as the focal point for the triathlon events.
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