Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is located on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour, next to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, New South Wales, Australia.

The Opera is quite a remarkable building, recognized as one of the most well-known performing arts centres in the world.

It is a very significant place where the Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet, the Sydney Theatre Company, the Sydney Symphony as well as a great number of various touring productions are held.

The Sydney Opera House is under the management of the Sydney Opera House Trust and since 2007 was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The idea of creating the opera was formed by the Director of the NSW State Conservatorium of Music, Eugene Goossens. He demanded for such a venue which would allow the presentation of larger theatrical productions.

Foundation of the opera building was laid in 1959 as its designer was appointed the Danish architect Jørn Utzon.

There were three stages in the establishment of the Sydney Opera House. The Stage I was focused on the construction of the upper podium, the Stage II was focused on building the outer shells and the Stage III was focused on the interior design.

The Opera House was built in 1973 and it was officially opened by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia. The opening was quite spectacular, including fireworks and a performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No.9.

The amount spent for the creation of the opera was estimated at 102 million dollars.

The Sydney Opera House has a length of 183 metres and a width of 120 metres, extending to 4.5 acres of land.

The building is not simply a single opera theatre, it also hosts a few other venues. The two of the main venues, the Opera Theatre and the Concert Hall are located respectively in the eastern and the western group of shells. Beneath the Concert Hall is set the minor venues represented by the Drama Theatre, the Playhouse and the Studio. On one side of the Monumental Steps can be seen a small group of shells where the Bennelong Restaurant is situated.

Address:
Sydney Opera House
Royal Exchange
Sydney 1225
Australia

Tel: 61 2 9250 7111