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4.5
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If I were to ask people from all over to name a famous building from Sydney I'm willing to bet that 99.99% would name the Opera House. Sydney Opera House is to the city what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris, the Colloseum to Rome or the Empire State Building is to New York City. What makes the building so unforgettable is without doubt its distinct and innovating architecture along with its great location on the tip of one of the world's pretties harbors. The Opera House is the work of the Danish architect Jørn Utzon who won the competition design in 1957. Construction of the building started in 1959 and ended in 1973 and was not without controversy. The original cost estimate was $7 million while the completion date was set by the government to be 26 January 1963; in reality the building was finished 10 years later in 1973 at a cost of $102 million. Jørn Utzon ultimately resigned the project and the interior was completed by an Australian design team. The most striking architectural element is the roof, which is made of precast concrete covered in granite tiles imported from Sweden. And finally, one last piece of information, Sydney's Opera House was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
Updated Feb 26, 2012
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Nearly all visitors that visit Sydney want to visit the Sydney Opera House while they are here..This wonderful piece of Architecture is a magnet for visitors..it would have to be the most photographed subject in Sydney and it is photographed from all angles to capture its uniqueness..There are just so many different things that one can do here ..Most visitors go for for a photo opportunity outside..The most popular of course is to see a show..wheather it be a cabaret, theatre, concert of classical or contemporary music..some people opt for one of the tours..or..just sit and have a coffee or high tea...I was there again recently just to find out what was on offer..and the staff were just so helpful to my needs..I thank them..
THE ESSENTIAL TOUR..Daily..every 30 minutes between 9.00am and 5.00pm..duration 1 hour. This tour is an audio visual presentation and tells the contrevertial Opera House story..
THE BACKSTAGE TOUR.Daily at 7am..This tour gives you access to areas normally reserved only for stars and performers..visit back stage areas and see dressing rooms etc..and includes a full breakfast in the "Green Room".NOTE...back stage tour includes 300 steps..not recommended for children under 12 years of age..ALSO NOTE..The Green Room is not open on Sundays or Holidays..only continental breakfast served at an alternative venue on these days.
OPERA TO A TEA....How about this romantic and unique opportunity..High Tea at the Sydney Opera House is becoming a must do in the Harbour city....This is really something..They have created this "High Tea"where you are welcomed with a glass of sparkling Australian wine then presented with an assortment of beautiful teas ,exquisite savouries,pastries and petit fours..The crescendo of this afternoon is a private performance for you by an acclaimed opera singer that will leave you entranced..
HIGH TEA..Every Wednesday2 till 4 pm..bookings at the guided tours desk and are essential ..
ALSO ASK ABOUT THESE OTHER ACTIVITIES..THE RED CARPET..SEA AND STAGE...AND SHOWCASE..
The Sydney Opera House is one of the buisiest Opera Houses in the world with over 1500 live performances every year.. This is really a unique building to visit and is a MUST SEE when in Sydney..There is something here for everyone ...as you can see there is just so much to see and do here.. This is a world heritage site..
This information thanks to Sydney Opera house staff information desk.....
Updated Sep 29, 2011
Address: THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
Phone: INFO..(02) 9250-7250
Website: sydneyoperahouse.com
We did the very interesting Opera House Tour and found out there are multiple theatres with lots of stuff going on. We had thought it ws only opera, so were kicking ourrselves that we had not booked to see a show there. Instead we had gone to a Chinese acrobatic performance in the city; it was good but the plays on at the Opera House sounded much more interesting. Next time we will check the website.
Written Aug 13, 2011
Address: end of circular quay
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon after he submitted the winning design in a competition. It finally opened in 1957.
The Sydney Opera House was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 28 June 2007. It is one of most famous performing arts centres in the world.
The building houses multiple performance venues and is one of the busiest performing arts centres in the world, hosting over 1,500 performances each year. Its four key residents are Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet, the Sydney Theatre Company and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most popular visitor attractions in Australia, with more than seven million people visiting the site each year. You can take a guided tour, but I reckon if you're going to go there, you may as well make it worth it and see a show!
There are places to eat nearby, but keep in mind that they do get busy prior to shows.
Written Jul 24, 2011
Address: 2 Macquarie Street, Bennelong Poing
Website: www.sydneyoperahouse.com
A must see really in Sydney, the design has always been controvertial, as are many of the decisions made during the construction.
The building is soon to be under refurbishment and apparently many of the decisions made during constructions will be corrected.
Updated May 8, 2011
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This is one of the most interesting buildings in the world. It was designed by Jorn Utzon of Copenhagen, Denmark, and the roof shells were inspired by palm trees. Construction began in 1959 and was completed in 1973. The grand opening featured Queen Elizabeth II.
To really appreciate this building, you need to see it from as many angles as possible. See it from ontop of the bridge, then walk along the shore from the bridge to Mrs. Macquarie's Point (there is plenty to see along the way besides the Opera House), or a water taxi works well. It will also look very interesting when you get up close. It also looks amazing at night when it is lit up.
If looking at it is not enough, you can try to book a show on the website.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Circular Quay
Phone: +61 2 9250 7111
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The Opera house was completed in 1973 and cost approx $AU 102,000,000 to build. Arguably the most famous building in Australia.
You can walk right around the outside of the building and some inside areas are open to the public. There are tours every hour and often free entertainment outdoors on the weekends.
It is sometimes possible to get cheap student tickets at the box office. There is also a place in the city called Halftix that sells tickets to preformances for that day. Their web address is www.halftix.com.au
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Bennelong Point. East Circular Quay.
It was built by a Danish architect Jørn Utzon. It's one of Australias best known icons. It houses many room and 1.2 million people visit a performance there every year. But when I first saw It to tell the truth it was a bit dissapointing as from the pictures it seems more impressive. But after a few visits I have come to love it now.
Updated Jan 13, 2011
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If there is one landmark that represents not just Sydney but the whole of Australia then it is the Sydney Opera House. This must see attraction was recently made a UNESCO World Heritage sight. With it's iconic design and beautiful setting it is almost a requirement for visitors to have a photo taken with the Opera House in the background. You also get to see the beautiful Sydney Harbour where you can get to snap more beautiful pictures. You can also catch a a wide array of performances from symphonies to operas in their many concert halls.
Written Oct 25, 2010
Address: Bennelong Point, Sydney
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The Sydney Opera House is one of the most famous 20th century buildings. Designed by Jørn Utzon and constructed under some controversy, it was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on October 20, 1973. The opening performance was Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.
As a Dane, the Sydney Opera House is even more special because the architect was Danish. I had really great expectations before my visit, and I wasn't disappointed. The Sydney Opera House is an absolutely fantastic building with a lot of details.
We went on a one hour guided tour and had a look inside the major theatres and halls. The Concert Hall is with 2,679 seats the largest theatre, and it is here the Grand Organ - with more than 10,000 pipes - is located. Besides the Concert Hall, the Sydney Opera House has four more theatres: The Opera Theatre (with 1,547 seats) which is used by the Opera Australia and the Australian Ballet Company, the Drama Theatre (with 544 seats), the Playhouse (with 398 seats), and the Studio Theatre (with 364 seats). We also saw the architecture up close and heard the stories of the Sydney Opera House. One of many spectacular details of the opera house is the roof that is made from 2,194 pre-cast concrete sections. These sections weigh up to 15 tons each, and are held together by 350 km of steel cable. The roof weighs more than 25,000 tons and is covered with exactly 1,056,056 Swedish ceramic tiles arranged in 4,253 pre-cast lids...
You are only allowed to take photos inside the theatres when there are no actors on the stage.
Updated Sep 17, 2010
Website: www.sydneyoperahouse.com
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Write a ReviewThe Sydney Opera House is one of the most famous 20th century buildings. Designed by Jørn Utzon and constructed under some controversy, it was opened by Queen...
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