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Contents
Sydney Opera House | Architecture, History, Inside & More
Book Your Sydney Opera House Tours
What is the Sydney Opera House?
Sydney's Iconic Landmark
As the name suggests, the Opera House is a performing arts theatre known to conduct various performances throughout the year. It accommodates six performing theatres within its walls, and its sail-shaped exterior is famous worldwide. The Sydney Opera House was deemed a World Heritage Site in 2007. Its unique design has made it an iconic internationally renowned structure, which is managed by the Sydney Opera House Trust. The Opera House also contains a recording studio, retail stores, bars and restaurants. Guided tours are open to the public who’d like to explore the building.
Sydney Opera House - Quick Facts
- Official name: Sydney Opera House
- Location: Bennelong Point, Sydney
- Date of opening: 20 October 1973
- Timings: 9 AM - 5 PM (Monday-Saturday) and 10 AM - 6 PM (Sundays)
- Architect: Jørn Utzon
- Architectural style: Modern Expressionist
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: 28 June 2007
- Number of visitors per year: 1.2 million
Why Visit the Sydney Opera House?
- Famous worldwide: The opera performances that are staged at the centre attract tourists from the world over. The Concert Hall also hosts musicals and theatre performances and can seat over 2,500 people.
- Dine-in: Grab a drink and a bite at the famous rooftop Opera Bar that provides undeterred views of the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Harbour.
- Guided tour: Take a guided tour of the interior of the Opera House to admire the modern and eclectic architecture of the building, including the kissing wall.
- Merch: Purchase merchandise at the Sydney Opera House, which operates as a non-profit, and support the performing artists.
- Kid-friendly: Catch a musical performance or comedy show at the Drama Theatre or the Playhouse.
- Architectural marvel: Be awed by the architecture including the glass walls, ivory tiles, theatre interiors and plywood corridors that took over 14 years to complete.
Plan Your Visit to Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House Location
The Sydney Opera House is situated on the banks of the Sydney Harbour, at the very tip of the landmass that extends into the harbour. Located in an area called Bennelong Point, the Opera House lies to the east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Address: Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia. Find on Maps
Sydney Opera House Opening Hours
- The landmark is open year-round and only closed on public holidays such as Christmas and Easter Sunday.
- The tour opening hours are 9 AM - 3:30 PM on all days.
- The box office hours are 9 AM - 5 PM on all days.
Architecture of Sydney Opera House
Modern Expressionist Architecture
The construction of the building was planned in four stages; stage I in planning the building, stage II to construct the upper podium, stage III to construct the outer shells, and stage IV for the interior design and construction. Utzon’s innovative design bagged him the project but turned out to cause difficulties in execution.
After numerous clashes with the NSW government overseeing the construction, Utzon quit. His designs were modified by other architects to arrive at plywood corridors, the inclusion of a cinema and a library in addition to the theatre, a change in the acoustics and more. The glass walls allow for light to pour in at all times giving the room an airy feel, and the prominent white roof was built from 1,056,006 pieces of ivory tile.
Sydney Opera House ArchitectureWho Built the Sydney Opera House?
Jørn Utzon
The original design of the Sydney Opera House was the brainchild of the Danish architect Jørn Utzon. He was part of the project for the first few stages till he quit due to disagreements with the government. The construction was handed over to another firm Ove Arup and Partners, and built under the guidance of three architects - Peter Hall, David Littlemore, and Lionel Todd. Utzon later rejoined the project and has the Utzon room in the Opera House dedicated to him.
Inside the Sydney Opera House
Concert Hall
This hall seats 2679 patrons at once, and is known to be the biggest venue for performances. Besides its marvellous interiors, it is also known for having the world’s largest mechanical action organ.
Joan Sutherland Theatre
This is the second largest theatre in the Opera House and holds 1507 people. It has a large orchestra pit that can house up to 70 musicians at a time and has been a host to some of the most famous plays and conferences from artists worldwide.
Utzon Room
Dedicated to the original architect of the project, this room is primarily used to host smaller private events such as parties, conferences and more. With the beautiful Sydney Harbour backdrop, it can house 100-200 people easily.
The Studio
This is the most flexible venue at the Sydney Opera House and is able to host a large variety of productions. It has a seating capacity of 320, but can otherwise accommodate up to 600 people.
Playhouse
Better suited for younger audiences, the Playhouse usually hosts theatrical performances, debates, lectures, and dance programs. The scenery can be easily changed with its modern motorised machinery and houses 398 people.
Forecourt
Lying in the exteriors of the Sydney Opera House, Forecourt has been hosting some of the greatest musical shows and concerts in the world. It has the capacity to hold nearly 6000 people and overlooks the beautiful Sydney Harbour.
Opera Bar
This rooftop bar is where you can go to grab a drink after attending an opera performance. The bar has outstanding views of the Sydney Harbour and the Harbour Bridge and is especially a sight to see when lit up at night.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Sydney Opera House
What is the Sydney Opera House?
With its distinctive sail-like structure, the Sydney Opera House is a famous landmark and a performing arts venue located on Bennelong Point.
Where is the Sydney Opera House?
The Sydney Opera House is located at Bennelong Point on the banks of the Sydney Harbour. Find it on Maps
What is the Sydney Opera House famous for?
Apart from its iconic architecture, the Opera House is known for being one of the largest venues in Australia that hosts operas, musical performances, theatres etc.
Is it worth visiting the Sydney Opera House?
With stunning architecture, this engineering marvel provides a stage for budding and leading artists and performers worldwide. Indulge yourself in performance arts or take a guided tour to uncover the mysteries of the building, Sydney Opera House is definitely worth a visit.
How much does it cost to visit the Sydney Opera House?
The cost of your Sydney Opera House ticket depends on the ticket type. While show tickets have their own pricing, guided tour tickets start from A$43.
Who built the Sydney Opera House?
The original designs for the Sydney Opera House were submitted by Danish architect Jørn Utzon. Learn more about Sydney Opera House Architecture.
When did the Sydney Opera House open?
The Sydney Opera House opened to the public in 1973 and was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth.
What’s inside the Sydney Opera House?
The Opera House includes a Concert Hall, several smaller theatres, a rooftop bar, a kitchen, a recording studio and retail stores.
What are the Sydney Opera House’s opening hours?
The Sydney Opera House is open from 8:45 AM - 5:00 PM on all days for tour bookings and from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM for show bookings.
