Visit Sydney's masterpiece - The Opera House

On my first visit to Sydney in 1985, I was fortunate to have a room on the 20th floor of my hotel, directly facing the harbour and the Sydney Opera House, first thing I saw in the morning and last thing at night. The Opera House is considered to be one of the 20th centuries most distinctive buildings and one of the most famous Performing Art Centers in the world.

Officially opened on Oct. 20 1973, by Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by fireworks and a performance of Bethoven's Symphony. Invitees to the opening did not include the Danish Architect Jorn Utzon, who was the designer and who had resigned from the project due to problems with the design of the roof of the Opera House, which took 7 years to complete. On June 28 2007 it was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Situated at Bennelong Point whose original Aborigine name was Tu-bow-gule, which means "meeting of the waters", on the northeastern tip of Sydney's Central Business District, it is surrounded on three sides by Sydney harbour it's most impressive view for picture taking is from the water side, or from Sydney Harbor Bridge, which faces it.

The roof of the Opera House has one of the most striking designs of any building, shaped like sails on a sailing boat, the highest one rises 67 metres above sea level

One of the most popular attractions in Australia, the Opera House has over 7 million visitors, 1500 performances, 3000 Events and 200,000 guided tours each year. Queen Elizabeth II has visited it 5 times, since officiating at the opening.

Here are a few interesting facts about the Opera House

1. The original Indigenous people of the area were the Gadigal Clan
2. The area was first a fort - named after Governor Macquarie and later became a tram shed before it was abandoned.
3 The concrete ceiling beams change shape as they rise from a Tshape to a Yshape
to a Ushape. These folded beams replace the need for columns to support the weight of
the structure . They are said to look like sails.
4. There are five main Performance areas, a recording studio, five restaurants and 4 souvenir shops.
5. The Concert Hall has 2678 seats and is the home of the Sydney Symphony. It contains the Sydney House Grand Organ, the largest mechanical organ in the world with 10,154 pipes which took 10 years to complete.
6. TheOpera Theatre is home to Opera Australia and the Australia Ballet.
7. The Drama Theatre is used by the Sydney Theatre Compoay and various dance and theritical companies.
8. The northern and western Foyers are used for Performances, venues, conferences and social functions.
9. Visitors can take a guided tour "backstage" to see areas usually reserved for performers.
10. In the Concert Hall Arnold Schwarzenegger won his final Mr. Olympia Body-building title in 1980.

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Visitors to Sydney in September and onward can get tickets to see these and other Performances. There is also a long list of other events offered during the entire year.

In the Opera Theatre - The Marriage of Figaro, or attend a 70-minute concert of "Great Opera Hits".

In the Playthouse Australia's Queen of Boogie Woogie piano - Jan Preston, accompanied by two musicians performs a new score of the 1925 version of the Wizard of Oz.

In the Concert Hall SUTRA is offered, with the 17 Monks from the original temple in Henan China, it combines dance, martial arts and astonishing acrobatics.

The Forecourts offer free screenings of popular dance films among which is "The Red Shoes" based on Hans Christian Anderson's fairytale; "Happy Feet" the film on Emperor Penguins; and Footloose, a 1984 film about a city boy who arrives in a small town to find dancing and rock music is banned.

Every fortnight from 2-4 pm visitors can partake of "Opera High Tea" a symphony of fine food, sparkling Australian wine and Opera in the elegant dining room, coupled with the spectacular harbour views. Not to be missed.

For those attending an event they can have dinner at one of the many restaurants, or enjoy live music, a drink and food at the Opera Bar. Reservations can be made at one of the many restaurants, while casual dining in a relaxed alfresco setting is available at the Sidewalk Cafe.

Information can be found on the website www.sydneyoperahouse.com, links will take you to purchase tickets, learn about the Backstage tour. make dining reservations or check out Sydneys top ten theatre venues.

Locally the Box Office is open Monday - Saturday 9:00am to 10:30pm and on Sunday 2 hours prior to a performance. The Sydney Opera House is closed on Christmas Day.

Shopping for Australian made clothing can be found at the  "Purely Australian Clothing Co."; souvenirs and performance related products at the Opera House Shop; while the Sydney Opera House Market offers an assortment of electic and handmade Australian Arts & Crafts.