The Sydney Opera House
Theatre Surrounded by Water with Beautiful Harmonic Sculptural Form
Within a wide range of venues and facilities, the Sydney Opera House hosts opera, drama, playhouse, ballet, orchestra, a recording studio and more.
The Sydney Opera House was designed by internationally acclaimed Danish architect Jorn Utzon. He was born in Copenhagen in 1918. He studied at the Academy of Arts in Copenhagen, under Kay Fisker and Steen Eiler Rasmussen.
Utzon “incorporates the balanced discipline of Asplund, the sculptural quality of Alvar Aalto, and the organic structures of Frank Lloyd Wright into his designs.” Culture and Recreation Portal Au Gov
A Compliment To The Environment.
In this image, you will see that the sail like quality of the Sydney Opera House reflects its position on Bennelong Point looking over the Sydney Harbor. Some of the 3000 events staged at this magnificent theatre take place on the steps of the house. The theatre was designed to suite the temperament of the "outdoorsy," sea loving Australian audiences.
Utzon strives in his architecture to reflect the style of the people living in the environment, whilst remaining loyal to “strict structural and constructive process.” The designs of the house are therefore highly innovative, unique and original whilst at the same time being aesthetically pleasing, in tune with the climate, surrounds, and colouring of the area. The sculptural form is a poetic tribute to a harmony between form and function. The sails of the vessels that decorate the water of “Sydney Cove” echo the shapes that combine to form the building.
History of the Theatre
- The Sydney Opera House opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 20 October 1973. It was a major engineering feat that was considerate of site conditions and the extensive program requirements of a major playhouse, opera house as well as general music and performance centre.
- There are guided tours which are said to lead 200,000 people through the amazing architecture each year.
- If you go to the Photo Gallery, you will find beautiful imagery.
- You will find pictures such as the Opera House overlooking Sydney Harbor. The picture highlights the way the architecture is designed to be a sculptural statement that reflects the heart of the nature of a population. Sydney was a penal colony when it first began in 1788. Because the English first came to this country in ships, water and the harbors of first settlement play a vital role in the remembrance of the history of the country. The site is historical both for the Australians who came here to settle and for those who lived here originally. The indigenous people of the Australian land perhaps looked out over the water of this bay as the ships sailed into the harbor - changing their way of life forever.
A Fine Programme Offering
Over the past 30 years, Sydney Opera House has worked to produce and present some of the finest national and international artists.
In the concert hall, which can seat over 2000 people, there is an international program of concerts, performances and large-scale events staged throughout the year.
Some of the many international communities guest featured are
- Brazil’s Marisa Monte,
- The flamenco dancer Eva Yerbabuena
- Bollywood legend Asha Bhosle
These are the homegrown cultural treasures that Australians can expect to be featured at the Opera House throughout the year.
- Opera Australia
- Sydney Symphony (More than a hundred performances)
- Sydney Theatre Company
- Australian Chamber Orchestra
- The Australian Ballet
- Sydney Festival
- Sydney Philharmonia Choirs
- Bell Shakespeare
You can book a visit for your school through the website, and there is a strong Kids Programme offered. If you do go on an excursion, please tell us about your visit .
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