The Sydney Opera House has become, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney's best-known landmark and international symbol.
The base for the building was started in 1959 - years before the designs were finished. It took four years to design by Danish architect Jorn Utzon and by 1962 the designs were finalized and construction began. In total it took 14 years to build and was officially opened on the 20th of October 1973 by Queen Elizabeth II.
Utzon's radical 'sails' design stretched engineering knowledge to the limit and imposed some unfortunate limitations on its functions, largely because the government insisted it house four halls, not two as he had planned originally. It cannot, for instance, house a grand opera because its opera stage is too small.
The Sydney Opera House is nonetheless a fascinating building and heart of the city's cultural scene. It opened with a concert hall, an opera theatre, a drama theatre and a recital hall, as well as restaurants and bars. A fifth theatre was added within the structure in 1998.
Nearby Accommodation - There are a few hotels which have unequalled views of the Sydney Opera House. Hotels like the Park Hyatt, which is situated right on the harbour's edge. Others include the Quay Grand Suites Sydney, Shangri-La Hotel Sydney and The Four Seasons Hotel Sydney.
The Sydney Opera House cost some $160 million to build and was paid for by the public who bought $10 tickets in a series of lotteries with a first prize of $1 million. Utzon became involved in a massive political row with the government and left before the building was finished.
In the year to June 1998 it attracted more than 1.4 million patrons. The Sydney Opera House conducts regular tours of the building daily, and walking paths lead back towards the city centre through the Botanic Gardens.
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Plan Your Visit
Sydney Opera House
Arts Centre Melbourne
QPAC, Brisbane
Opera on Sydney Harbour
Terms and Conditions
SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
The Sydney Opera House is located at Bennelong Point, Sydney 2000.
Theatres
Opera Australia regularly performs in two venues at the Sydney Opera House
Opera performances are presented in the Opera Theatre. View seating map
Concerts are presented in the Concert Hall. View seating map
Getting There
The Sydney Opera House has great public transport options: take the bus, train or ferry to Circular Quay and it's just a 5 minute walk. Visit the Transport Infoline for timetable and fare information. If you do want to drive, Wilson's Sydney Opera House Car Park is located at the northern end of Macquarie Street with vehicular access adjacent to the Forecourt. Opera Australia subscribers are offered a discounted parking rate. Being a public car park, spaces may not always be available, and please note that the car park closes at 1am.
Restaurants and bars
There are loads of high quality venues around Circular Quay and at the Opera House. For views of the Sydney Opera House itself, the nearby Aria restaurant is a great choice, offering a sophisticated and relaxed setting to start your evening. Opera Australia Subscribers enjoy special offers at Aria, as well as at the iconic Sir Stamford, Circular Quay, in Macquarie Street.
If you really want to make a night of it, book a table at Sydney Opera House's flagship restaurant, Guillaume at Bennelong, run by Sydney chef Guillaume Brahimi.
Opera Kitchen brings together some of Sydney's best known names in a casual al fresco setting - sushi and sashimi at Kenji, Vietnamese at Misschu, Cloudy Bay Fish Co., Charlie & Co. Burgers and Bécasse Bakery. Or visit the famous Opera Bar for a drink and some delicious Australian cuisine: there's a pre-theatre menu served from 5pm.
Inside the Box Office foyer there's Bistro Mozart (also run by Guillaume Brahimi) which serves superb meals prior to performances. Plus the Theatre Bars, located in the Northern and Southern foyers of the Sydney Opera House, showcase unrivalled views of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Farm Cove as well as the harbour. Pre-order your drinks on arrival for the interval so you can avoid the queues. Both Theatre Bars offer spacious indoor and outdoor areas.
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