View source for Sydney Opera House

{{Short description|Performing arts centre in Australia}}
{{For|the historical (1879–1900) theatre of the same name|Opera House, Sydney}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox building
| status           = completed
| logo             = Sydney Opera House logo.svg
| logo_size        = 160px
| logo_caption     = Official logo
| image            = Sydney Australia. (21339175489).jpg
| image_alt        = 
| caption          = View from the west
| map_type         = Australia Sydney central#New South Wales#Australia
| map_alt          = 
| map_caption      = Location in Sydney##Location in [[New South Wales]]##Location in Australia
| relief           = 1
| altitude         = {{convert|4|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| building_type    = [[Performing arts centre]]
| architectural_style = [[Expressionist architecture|Expressionist]]
| structural_system = Concrete frame & precast concrete ribbed roof
| cost             = {{AUD|102 million}}, equivalent to A${{Inflation|AU|102|1973}} million in {{Inflation/year|AU}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rba.gov.au/calculator/annualDecimal.html|title=Inflation Calculator|publisher=RBA|date=14 February 1966|access-date=10 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303032708/http://www.rba.gov.au/calculator/annualDecimal.html|archive-date=3 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| client           = [[Government of New South Wales]]
| owner            = Government of New South Wales
| current_tenants  = {{Unbulleted list|[[Australian Chamber Orchestra]]|[[Bangarra Dance Theatre]]|[[Bell Shakespeare]]|[[Opera Australia]]|[[Sydney Philharmonia Choirs]]|[[Sydney Symphony Orchestra]]|[[Sydney Theatre Company]]|[[The Australian Ballet]]}}
| location         = [[Bennelong Point]], Sydney
| location_country = Australia
| coordinates      = {{coord|33.85681|S|151.21514|E|region:AU-NSW|display=inline,title}}
| start_date       = {{Start date|df=yes|1959|3|1}}
| opened_date      = {{Start date|df=yes|1973|10|20}}
| inauguration_date = 
| renovation_date  = 
| height           = {{convert|65|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| other_dimensions = {{unbulleted list | length {{convert|183|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} | width {{convert|120|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} | area {{convert|1.8|ha|acre|1|abbr=on}} }}
| seating_capacity = {{Unbulleted list|Concert Hall 2,679|Joan Sutherland Theatre 1,507|Drama Theatre 544|Playhouse 398|The Studio 400|Utzon Room 210|'''Total 5,738'''}}
| main_contractor  = [[Civil & Civic]] (level 1), [[Baulderstone#MR Hornibrook|MR Hornibrook]] (level 2 and 3 and interiors)
| architect        = [[Jørn Utzon]]<br />[[Peter Hall (architect)|Peter Hall]]
| structural_engineer = [[Ove Arup & Partners]]
| awards           = 
| website          = {{official URL|sydneyoperahouse.com}}
| embedded         = {{designation list | embed = yes
| designation1            = WHS
| designation1_date       = [[List of World Heritage Sites by year of inscription#2007 (31st session)|2007]] <small>(31st [[World Heritage Committee|session]])</small>
| designation1_type       = Cultural
| designation1_criteria   = i
| designation1_number     = [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/166 166]
| designation1_free1name  = Region
| designation1_free1value = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Oceania|Oceania]]
| designation2            = ANHL
| designation2_date       = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2005|7|12}}
| designation2_type       = Historic
| designation2_criteria   = a, b, e, f, g, h
| designation2_number     = {{ANHL|105738}}
| designation2_free1name  = 
| designation2_free1value = 
| designation2_free2name  = 
| designation2_free2value = 
| designation3            = NSW
| designation3_date       = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2003|12|3}}
| designation3_type       = Built
| designation3_criteria   = a, b, c, d, e, f, g
| designation3_number     = 01685
| designation3_free1name  = 
| designation3_free1value = 
| designation3_free2name  = 
| designation3_free2value = 
}}
| references       = Coordinates<ref>Topographic maps 1:100000 9130 Sydney and 1:25000 91303N Parramatta River</ref>
}}

The '''Sydney Opera House''' is a multi-venue [[Performing arts center|performing arts centre]] in [[Sydney]], New South Wales, Australia. Located on the foreshore of [[Sydney Harbour]], it is widely regarded as one of the world's most famous and distinctive buildings, and a masterpiece of 20th-century architecture.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/world/sydney-opera-house/values|title=World Heritage Places – The Sydney Opera House – World Heritage values|last=Environment|first=Department of the|date=23 April 2008|website=www.environment.gov.au|language=en|access-date=10 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510212625/http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/world/sydney-opera-house/values|archive-date=10 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/sydney/attractions/seven-alternative-sydney-opera-house-designs-that-never-saw-the-light-of-day|title=Seven Sydney Opera House designs that never saw the light of day|work=[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]]|first=Alannah|last=Maher|date=30 July 2021|accessdate=4 November 2021}}</ref>

Designed by Danish architect [[Jørn Utzon]] and completed by an Australian architectural team headed by [[Peter Hall (architect)|Peter Hall]], the building was formally opened by [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] on 20 October 1973,<ref name="opened">{{cite web |title=Sydney Opera House history |publisher=Sydney Opera House Official Site |url=http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/about/house_history/1973_1981.aspx |access-date=17 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020095748/http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/about/house_history/1973_1981.aspx |archive-date=20 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 16 years after Utzon's 1957 selection as winner of an international design competition. The [[Government of New South Wales]], led by the [[Premier of New South Wales|premier]], [[Joseph Cahill]], authorised work to begin in 1958 with Utzon directing construction. The government's decision to build Utzon's design is often overshadowed by circumstances that followed, including cost and scheduling overruns as well as the architect's ultimate resignation.<ref>{{cite web|title=2003 Laureate|url=http://www.pritzkerprize.com/2003/bio|website=The Pritzker Architecture Prize|publisher=The Hyatt Foundation|access-date=19 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222104832/http://www.pritzkerprize.com/2003/bio|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

The building and its surrounds occupy the whole of [[Bennelong Point]] on [[Port Jackson|Sydney Harbour]], between [[Sydney Cove]] and [[Farm Cove, New South Wales|Farm Cove]], adjacent to the [[Sydney central business district]] and the [[Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney|Royal Botanic Garden]], and near to the [[Sydney Harbour Bridge]].

The building comprises multiple performance venues, which together host over 1,800 performances annually, attended by more than 1.4&nbsp;million people.<ref name=report>{{cite web |title = Sydney Opera House: Annual Reports |url = https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/about-us/how-we-work/governance-policies-and-corporate-information/annual-reports |access-date = 12 February 2025 }}</ref> Performances are presented by numerous performing artists, with many resident companies such as [[Opera Australia]], the [[Sydney Theatre Company]] and the [[Sydney Symphony Orchestra]]. As one of the most popular visitor attractions in Australia, the site is visited by more than ten million people annually,<ref name=report/> and approximately 350,000 visitors take a guided tour of the building each year.<ref>{{cite web|title=How do you value an icon? The Sydney Opera House: economic, cultural and digital value|url=http://www.deloitteaccesseconomics.com.au/uploads/File/Sydney%20Opera%20House.pdf|publisher=Deloitte Access Economics|access-date=19 December 2015|pages=70|date=2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222082946/http://www.deloitteaccesseconomics.com.au/uploads/File/Sydney%20Opera%20House.pdf|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The building is managed by the [[Sydney Opera House Trust]], an agency of the New South Wales State Government.

In 2007, the Sydney Opera House became a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Braithwaite |first=David |title=Opera House wins top status |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=28 June 2007 |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/travel/opera-house-wins-top-status/2007/06/28/1182624058781.html |access-date=28 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701043939/http://www.smh.com.au/news/travel/opera-house-wins-top-status/2007/06/28/1182624058781.html |archive-date=1 July 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> having been listed on the (now defunct) [[Register of the National Estate]] since 1980, the [[National Trust of Australia]] register since 1983, the [[City of Sydney]] Heritage Inventory since 2000, the [[New South Wales State Heritage Register]] since 2003, and the [[Australian National Heritage List]] since 2005.<ref>{{cite NSW SHR|5054880|Sydney Opera House|hr=01685|fn=H99/00168, H05/00022|access-date=3 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sydney Opera House, 2 Circular Quay East, Sydney, NSW, Australia |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahdb/search.pl?mode=place_detail;search=place_name%3Dsydney%2520opera%3Bkeyword_PD%3Don%3Bkeyword_SS%3Don%3Bkeyword_PH%3Don%3Blatitude_1dir%3DS%3Blongitude_1dir%3DE%3Blongitude_2dir%3DE%3Blatitude_2dir%3DS%3Bin_region%3Dpart;place_id=105738 |work=[[Australian Heritage Database]] |publisher=Department of the Environment and Energy, [[Australian Government]] |access-date=21 September 2017 |date=12 July 2005 }}</ref> The Opera House was also a finalist in the ''[[New7Wonders of the World|New 7 Wonders of the World]]'' campaign list.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://world.new7wonders.com/new7wonders-of-the-world-page/new7wonders-of-the-world-finalists/|title=New7Wonders of the World|work=World of New7Wonders}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-01-02/sydney-opera-house-short-listed-for-new-seven/771696|title=Sydney Opera House short-listed for new 'Seven Wonders'|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]}}</ref>

==Description==
The facility features a modern [[expressionist architecture|expressionist design]], with a series of large [[precast concrete]] "shells",<ref>[http://nsw.royalsoc.org.au/journal_archive/106_12_lewis.html Shells of the Sydney Opera House], The Royal Society of New South Wales {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927211933/http://nsw.royalsoc.org.au/journal_archive/106_12_lewis.html |date=27 September 2011 }}</ref> each composed of sections of a [[sphere]] of {{convert|75.2|m|ftin|1}} radius,<ref>[http://nsw.royalsoc.org.au/journal_archive/106_12_lewis_2.html "Roof Cladding of the Sydney Opera House", Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales, Volume 106 Parts 1 and 2, pp. 18–32, issued 21 November 1973 (Note: The paper is contradictory, giving both radius and diameter as over 246 ft. It is unlikely to be the diameter as the building's height of 213 ft makes that illogical.)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927212007/http://nsw.royalsoc.org.au/journal_archive/106_12_lewis_2.html |date=27 September 2011 }}</ref> forming the roofs of the structure, set on a monumental podium. The building covers {{convert|1.8|ha|acre|1}} of land and is {{convert|183|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|120|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} wide at its widest point. It is supported on 588 concrete piers sunk as much as {{convert|25|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} below sea level. The highest roof point is 67 metres above sea-level which is the same height as that of a 22-storey building. The roof is made of 2,194 pre-cast concrete sections, which weigh up to 15 tonnes each.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/oceania/australia/new-south-wales/sydney/articles/Sydney-Opera-House-40-fascinating-facts/|title=Sydney Opera House: 40 fascinating facts|date=24 October 2013|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref>

Although the roof structures are commonly referred to as "shells" (as in this article), they are precast concrete panels supported by precast concrete ribs, not shells in a strictly structural sense.<ref>{{cite web
 |title        = Sydney Opera House
 |work         = Tom Fletcher
 |url          = http://www.sydneyarchitecture.com/ROC/QUA01.htm
 |access-date  = 10 February 2008
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927010222/http://sydneyarchitecture.com/ROC/QUA01.htm
 |archive-date = 27 September 2007
|url-status   = dead
 |df           = dmy-all
}}</ref> Though the shells appear uniformly white from a distance, they actually feature a subtle chevron pattern composed of 1,056,006 tiles in two colours: glossy white and matte cream. The tiles were manufactured by the Swedish company [[Höganäs AB]] which generally produced stoneware tiles for the paper-mill industry.<ref>{{cite book
 |last        = Utzon
 |first       = J
 |title       = Sydney Opera House Utzon design principles
 |publisher   = Sydney Opera House Trust
 |year        = 2002
 |location    = Sydney
 |pages       = 20
 |url         = http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/uploadedFiles/About_Us/The_Building/Content_AboutUs_UtzonDesignPrinciples.pdf
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090226042013/http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/uploadedFiles/About_Us/The_Building/Content_AboutUs_UtzonDesignPrinciples.pdf
 |archive-date = 26 February 2009
|df          = dmy-all
}}</ref>

Apart from the tile of the shells and the glass curtain walls of the foyer spaces, the building's exterior is largely clad with aggregate panels composed of pink granite quarried at [[Tarana, New South Wales|Tarana]]. Significant interior surface treatments also include off-form concrete, [[Schizomeria ovata|Australian white birch]] [[plywood]] supplied from [[Wauchope, New South Wales|Wauchope]] in northern New South Wales, and [[brush box]] [[glulam]].<ref>{{cite book
 | last = Littlemore
 | first = D.S.
 | title = Sydney Opera House, Anatomy of Stage Three construction and completion: a general index
 | publisher=Public Works Department, NSW
}}</ref>

===Performance venues and facilities===
[[File:Interior of Sydney Opera House Concert Hall during performance.jpg|left|thumb|The main Concert Hall]]
[[File:Joan Sutherland Theatre Interior.JPG|left|thumb|Joan Sutherland Theatre interior]]
[[File:Sydney Opera House restaurant April 2019.jpg|left|thumb|The Bennelong Restaurant, located at the southernmost sail]]The Sydney Opera House includes a number of performance venues:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/About/Venues.aspx|title=Sydney Opera House venues|work=sydneyoperahouse.com|access-date=13 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416175901/http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/About/Venues.aspx|archive-date=16 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''Concert Hall''': With 2,679 seats, the home of the [[Sydney Symphony Orchestra]] and used by a large number of other concert presenters. It contains the [[Sydney Opera House Grand Organ]], the largest mechanical [[tracker action]] organ in the world, with over 10,000 pipes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/uploadedFiles/About_Us/Venues/Content_AboutUs_TechSpecsGrandOrgan.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905063507/http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/uploadedFiles/About_Us/Venues/Content_AboutUs_TechSpecsGrandOrgan.pdf|title=Sydney Opera House Grand Organ specification|archivedate=5 September 2012}}</ref>
* '''Joan Sutherland Theatre''': A [[Proscenium|proscenium theatre]] with 1,507 seats,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/content/dam/pdfs/venues/Joan-Sutherland-Theatre/Joan-Sutherland-Technical-Specification.pdf|title=Joan Sutherland Theatre: Technical and Production Information|date=June 2012|publisher=Sydney Opera House|page=6|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104061101/https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/content/dam/pdfs/venues/Joan-Sutherland-Theatre/Joan-Sutherland-Technical-Specification.pdf|archive-date=4 November 2018|url-status=live|access-date=4 November 2018}}</ref> the Sydney home of [[Opera Australia]] and [[The Australian Ballet]]. Until 17 October 2012 it was known as the Opera Theatre.<ref name="SOHJSTName">{{cite press release
 |publisher   = Sydney Opera House
 |date        = 16 October 2012
 |title       = Opera Theatre Officially Renamed Joan Sutherland Theatre
 |url         = http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/About/12CorporateMediaRelease_Joan_Sutherland_Theatre.aspx
 |access-date  = 19 October 2012
|url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20121018072643/http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/About/12CorporateMediaRelease_Joan_Sutherland_Theatre.aspx
 |archive-date = 18 October 2012
|df          = dmy-all
}}</ref><ref name="ABCJSTName">{{cite news
 |title        = Opera House theatre to be renamed after Sutherland
 |publisher    = Australian Broadcasting Corporation
 |date         = 17 October 2012
|url          = http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-16/opera-theatre-to-be-named-after-famous-soprano/4315292
 |access-date   = 19 October 2012
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20121018070250/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-16/opera-theatre-to-be-named-after-famous-soprano/4315292
 |archive-date = 18 October 2012
|url-status     = live
 |df           = dmy-all
}}</ref>
* '''Drama Theatre''': A proscenium theatre with 544 seats, used by the [[Sydney Theatre Company]] and other dance and theatrical presenters.
* '''Playhouse''': A non-proscenium end-stage theatre with 398 seats.
* '''Studio''': A flexible space with 280 permanent seats (some of which can be folded up) and a maximum capacity of 400, depending on configuration.
* '''Utzon Room''': A small multi-purpose venue for parties, corporate functions and small productions (such as chamber music performances).
* '''Yallamundi Rooms:''' A function space hosting up to 400 people, often used for weddings or business conferences.
* '''Outdoor Forecourt''': A flexible open-air venue with a wide range of configuration options, including the possibility of utilising the Monumental Steps as audience seating, used for a range of community events and major outdoor performances.

==History==

===Origins of the project===

====Site selection====
[[File:Aerial view of Sydney Harbour - the bridge is under construction.jpg|thumb|Bennelong Point with tram depot in the 1920s (top left-hand side of photograph), during the building of [[Sydney Harbour Bridge]] (foreground)|left]]
Planning began in the late 1940s when [[Eugene Aynsley Goossens|Eugene Goossens]], the Director of the [[Sydney Conservatorium of Music|New South Wales State Conservatorium of Music]], lobbied for a suitable venue for large theatrical productions. The normal venue for such productions, the [[Sydney Town Hall]], was not considered large enough. By 1954, Goossens succeeded in gaining the support of New South Wales Premier [[Joseph Cahill]], who called for designs for a dedicated opera house. It was also Goossens who insisted that Bennelong Point be the site: Cahill had wanted it to be on or near [[Wynyard railway station, Sydney|Wynyard railway station]] in the northwest of the [[Sydney central business district|central business district]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sydneyarchitecture.com/ROC/QUA01.htm |title=Sydney Architecture Images- Sydney Opera House |publisher=Sydneyarchitecture.com |access-date=9 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224195120/http://sydneyarchitecture.com/ROC/QUA01.htm |archive-date=24 December 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====Architecture competition 1955–1957====
An international [[Architectural design competition|design competition]] with a grand prize of 5,000 [[Australian pound]]s<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ericellis.com/utzon.htm|title=Eric Ellis interview with Utzon in the ''Sydney Morning Herald Good Weekend''|work=Ericellis.com|date=31 October 1992|access-date=2 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020726154645/http://www.ericellis.com/utzon.htm|archive-date=26 July 2002}}</ref> was launched by Cahill on 13 September 1955 and received 233 entries, representing architects from 32 countries. The criteria specified a large hall seating 3,000 and a small hall for 1,200 people, each to be designed for different uses, including full-scale operas, orchestral and choral concerts, mass meetings, lectures, ballet performances, and other presentations.<ref>{{cite book
 | last = Ziegler
 | first = Oswald
 | title = Sydney Builds an Opera House
 | publisher=Oswald Ziegler Publications
 | year = 1973
 | page = 35
 }}</ref>
[[File:Sydney Opera House - Jørn Utzon drawings (5247755534).jpg|left|thumb|[[Jørn Utzon]]'s initial sketches in 1957]]

The jury for the competition were: Professor Henry Ashworth ([[University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning|University of Sydney]]),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lumby |first=Roy |date=2014 |title=Henry Ingham Ashworth (1907–1991) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/ashworth-henry-ingham-15498 |access-date=24 January 2024 |website=Australian Dictionay of Biography}}</ref> Cobden Parkes ([[New South Wales Government Architect]]); Professor [[Leslie Martin]] (Professor of Architecture of [[Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge|Cambridge University]] and architect of [[Royal Festival Hall]] 1951) and Finnish-American architect [[Eero Saarinen]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |date=29 January 2021 |title=From the Archives, 1957: Utzon's design wins Opera House contest, edited version of a story first published in the Sydney Morning Herald on January 30, 1957. |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/from-the-archives-1957-utzon-s-design-wins-opera-house-contest-20210117-p56uq5.html |access-date=24 February 2024 |website=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref>

The winner, announced in Sydney on 29 January 1957,<ref name="auto"/> was Danish architect [[Jørn Utzon]]. Saarinen selected Utzon's distinctive design from a final cut of 30 rejects.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Geddes, Robert |author-link1=Second Thoughts: Reflections on Winning Second Prize |editor1-last=Watson |editor1-first=Anne |title=Building a Masterpiece: The Sydney Opera House |date=2013 |publisher=Powerhouse Press |location=Sydney |isbn=9780853319412 |page=56}}</ref> Utzon's design was inspired by natural shapes, most notably those of bird wings, clouds, shells, walnuts, rivers and palm leaves.<ref>{{cite AV media | title=Sydney Opera House: Inspired by Nature | publisher=Sydney Opera House | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Phiq8szxpA | date=5 March 2015 | type=video | location=Australia }}</ref>

The runner-up was a [[Philadelphia]]-based team assembled by [[Robert Geddes (architect)|Robert Geddes]] and George Qualls, both teaching at the [[University of Pennsylvania School of Design]]. They brought together a band of Penn faculty and friends from Philadelphia architectural offices, including Melvin Brecher, Warren Cunningham, Joseph Marzella, Walter Wiseman, and Leon Loschetter. Geddes, Brecher, Qualls, and Cunningham went on to found the firm GBQC Architects.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

Utzon visited Sydney in 1957 to help supervise the project.<ref>{{cite web
 | title=Millennium Masterwork: Jorn Utzon's Sydney Opera House
 | work=Hugh Pearman
 | publisher=Gabion
 | url=http://www.hughpearman.com/articles/sydney.htm
 | access-date=28 June 2007
 | url-status=dead
 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926231514/http://www.hughpearman.com/articles/sydney.htm
 | archive-date=26 September 2007
 | df=dmy-all
 }}</ref> His office moved to [[Palm Beach, New South Wales|Palm Beach]], Sydney in February 1963.<ref>Drew, Philip, "The Masterpiece: Jørn Utzon: a secret life", Hardie Grant Books, 1999</ref>

Utzon received the [[Pritzker Architecture Prize]], architecture's highest honour, in 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/sydney-opera-house-architect-joern-utzon-dead/2008/11/30/1227979814647.html|title=Joern Utzon dead|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=30 November 2008|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104002919/http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/sydney-opera-house-architect-joern-utzon-dead/2008/11/30/1227979814647.html|archive-date=4 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The Pritzker Prize citation read:
{{blockquote|There is no doubt that the Sydney Opera House is his masterpiece. It is one of the great iconic buildings of the 20th century, an image of great beauty that has become known throughout the world – a symbol for not only a city but a whole country and continent.}}

===Design development and construction timeline===
====Preparation of site====
The [[Fort Macquarie Tram Depot]], occupying the site at the time of these plans, was demolished in 1958 and construction began in March 1959. The Opera House was built in four stages: stage I (1957–1959) was planning out the building; stage II (1959–1963) consisted of building the upper podium; stage III (1963–1967) the construction of the outer shells, based upon the image of whales breaching the water; stage IV (1967–1973) interior design and construction.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

====Stage I: Podium====
Stage I started on 2 March 1959 with the construction firm [[Civil & Civic]], monitored by the engineers [[Ove Arup & Partners]].<ref name=sa>[http://www.sydneyarchitecture.com/ROC/QUA01.htm Sydney Architecture] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927010222/http://sydneyarchitecture.com/ROC/QUA01.htm |date=27 September 2007 }}. Retrieved 1 November 2008.</ref> The government had pushed for work to begin early, fearing that funding, or public opinion, might turn against them. But Utzon had still not completed the final designs. Major structural issues still remained unresolved. By 23 January 1961, work was running 47 weeks behind,<ref name=sa/> mainly because of unexpected difficulties (inclement weather, unexpected difficulty diverting stormwater, construction beginning before proper construction drawings had been prepared, changes of original contract documents). Work on the podium was finally completed in February 1963. The forced early start led to significant later problems, not least of which was that the podium columns were not strong enough to support the roof structure, and had to be re-built.<ref name="PMurray">{{cite book
 | last = Murray
 | first = Peter
 | title = The Saga of the Sydney Opera House
 | publisher=Spon Press
 | year = 2004
 | location = London
 | isbn = 0-415-32521-8 }}</ref>

====Stage II: Roof====
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
File:SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE under construction and ferries including BELLUBERA and KARINGAL 1962.tif|Podium structure complete, 1962
File:SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE under construction 1965.tif|Shells structure, {{Circa|1965}}
File:SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE under construction circa 1965.tif|Roof and shell structure, {{Circa|1965}}
File:Sydney Opera House construction 1968.jpg|Tiles complete, {{Circa|1968}}
</gallery>
The [[Thin-shell structure|shells]] of the competition entry were originally of undefined geometry,<ref>Arup, Ove and Zunz, G.J.: Article in ''Structural Engineer'' Volume 47, March 1969</ref> but, early in the design process, the "shells" were perceived as a series of [[parabola]]s supported by precast concrete ribs. However, Ove Arup & Partners were unable to find an acceptable solution to constructing them. The [[formwork]] for using ''[[in-situ]]'' concrete would have been prohibitively expensive, and, because there was no repetition in any of the roof forms, the construction of precast concrete for each individual section would possibly have been even more expensive.

[[File:AUS NSW Opera House DSC05118.jpg|thumb|right|Sydney Opera House shell ribs]]
[[File:Sydney Opera House Ceramic Tile Pattern.jpg|thumb|right|The glazed ceramic tiles of the Sydney Opera House]]
From 1957 to 1963, the design team went through at least 12 iterations of the form of the shells trying to find an economically acceptable form (including schemes with parabolas, circular ribs and [[ellipsoids]]) before a workable solution was completed.

The design work on the shells involved one of the earliest uses of computers in [[structural analysis]], to understand the complex forces to which the shells would be subjected.<ref name="PJones">Jones, Peter: ''Ove Arup: Masterbuilder of the Twentieth Century''. Yale University Press, 2006.</ref><ref name=bertony>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-47880938 |title=Joseph Bertony: The spy who helped mastermind the Sydney Opera House|website=BBC News |first=Ashitha |last=Nagesh |date= 13 April 2019}}</ref> The computer system was also used in the assembly of the arches. The pins in the arches were surveyed at the end of each day, and the information was entered into the computer so the next arch could be properly placed the following day.

In mid-1961, the design team found a solution to the problem: the shells all being created as sections from a sphere. This solution allows arches of varying length to be cast in a common mould, and a number of arch segments of common length to be placed adjacent to one another, to form a spherical section. With whom exactly this solution originated has been the subject of some controversy. It was originally credited to Utzon. Ove Arup's letter to Ashworth, a member of the Sydney Opera House Executive Committee, states: "Utzon came up with an idea of making all the shells of uniform curvature throughout in both directions."<ref name=autogenerated3>page 199</ref> Peter Jones, the author of Ove Arup's biography, states that "the architect and his supporters alike claimed to recall the precise [[Eureka effect|''eureka'' moment]] ...; the engineers and some of their associates, with equal conviction, recall discussion in both central London and at Ove's house."

He goes on to claim that "the existing evidence shows that Arup's canvassed several possibilities for the geometry of the shells, from parabolas to ellipsoids and spheres."<ref name="PJones" /> Yuzo Mikami, a member of the design team, presents an opposite view in his book on the project, ''Utzon's Sphere''.<ref name="sphere">{{cite web| author=Bentley, Paul| date=September 2001| title=A Matter of Integrity – A Review of Yuzo Mikami's ''Utzon's Sphere''| publisher=The Wolanski Foundation| url=http://www.twf.org.au/research/mikami.html| access-date=30 January 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102161608/http://www.twf.org.au/research/mikami.html| archive-date=2 January 2007| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>Mikami, Yuzo: ''Utzon's Sphere'', Tokyo: Shoku Kusha. 2001.</ref> It is unlikely that the truth will ever be categorically known, but there is a clear consensus that the design team worked very well indeed for the first part of the project and that Utzon, Arup, and Ronald Jenkins (partner of Ove Arup and Partners responsible for the Opera House project) all played a very significant part in the design development.<ref name="findarticles">{{cite news|author=Hunt, Tony |date=October 2001 |title=Utzon's Sphere: Sydney Opera House—How It Was Designed and Built—Review |publisher=EMAP Architecture, Gale Group |url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3575/is_1256_210/ai_79759827 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061219120138/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3575/is_1256_210/ai_79759827 |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 December 2006 |access-date=30 January 2007 }}</ref>

As [[Peter Murray (architectural writer)|Peter Murray]] states in ''The Saga of the Sydney Opera House'':<ref name="PMurray" />

{{blockquote|... the two men—and their teams—enjoyed a collaboration that was remarkable in its fruitfulness and, despite many traumas, was seen by most of those involved in the project as a high point of architect/engineer collaboration.}}

The design of the roof was tested on scale models in [[wind tunnel]]s at [[University of Southampton]] and later [[National Physical Laboratory (United Kingdom)|NPL]] to establish the wind-pressure distribution around the roof shape in very high winds, which helped in the design of the roof tiles and their fixtures.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/mob/collection/database/?irn=12041&img=7593 |title=Model of Sydney Opera House, 1960 |work=Powerhouse Museum – Collection Database |year=2014 |access-date=6 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506212436/http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/mob/collection/database/?irn=12041&img=7593 |archive-date=6 May 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.npl.co.uk/content/conWebDoc/8580 |title=Building the Sydney Opera House |work=npl.co.uk |year=2014 |access-date=6 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506200203/http://www.npl.co.uk/content/conWebDoc/8580 |archive-date=6 May 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:Sydney Opera House At Night 2.jpg|thumb|The shells of the Opera House at night, viewed from the south]]
The immensely complex design and construction of the shells was completed by [[Baulderstone#MR Hornibrook|Hornibrook]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bilfingerberger.com/C1257130005050D5/vwContentByKey/W26U3AX8814LUNADE/$FILE/bb_historie_en.html |title=Bilfinger Berger corporate history |publisher=Bilfingerberger.com |access-date=23 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324054618/http://www.bilfingerberger.com/C1257130005050D5/vwContentByKey/W26U3AX8814LUNADE/%24FILE/bb_historie_en.html |archive-date=24 March 2010 }}</ref> who were also responsible for construction in Stage III.<ref>{{SLQ-CC-BY|url=https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/archives-reveal-more-history-hornibrook-innovation-building-sydney-opera-house|title=Archives reveal more history of Hornibrook innovation in the building of Sydney Opera House.|date=3 November 2021|author(s)=Julie Hornibrook|accessdate=1 June 2022}}</ref> Hornibrook manufactured the 2400 precast ribs and 4000 roof panels in an on-site factory and also developed the construction processes.<ref name="PMurray" /> The achievement of this solution avoided the need for expensive formwork construction by allowing the use of precast units and it also allowed the roof tiles to be prefabricated in sheets on the ground, instead of being stuck on individually at height.

The tiles themselves were manufactured by the Swedish company [[Höganäs Keramik]]. It took three years of development to produce the effect Utzon wanted in what became known as the Sydney Tile, 120mm square. It is made from clay with a small percentage of crushed stone.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/our-story/sydney-opera-house-history/spherical-solution.html| title = sydneyoperahouse.com}}</ref>

Ove Arup and Partners' site engineer supervised the construction of the shells, which used an innovative adjustable steel-trussed "erection arch" (developed by Hornibrook's engineer [[Joe Bertony]]) to support the different roofs before completion.<ref name=bertony/> On 6 April 1962, it was estimated that the Opera House would be completed between August 1964 and March 1965.

====Stage III: Interiors====
<gallery mode="packed" heights="160">
File:SSO at the Concert Hall in the Sydney Opera House on 20 July 2022.jpg|The Concert Hall and [[Sydney Opera House Grand Organ|organ]]
File:Concert Hall Interior.JPG|View from the stage of the Concert Hall
File:Joan Sutherland Theatre Interior.JPG|View from the stage of the Joan Sutherland Theatre
File:Studio Theatre Interior.JPG|Interior of the Studio Theatre
</gallery>
Stage III, the interiors, started with Utzon moving his entire office to Sydney in February 1963. However, there was a change of government in 1965, and the new [[Robert Askin]] government declared the project under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Works. Due to the Ministry's criticism of the project's costs and time,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/About/The_Architect.aspx|title=Sydney Opera House – the Architect – Sydney Opera House|website=www.sydneyoperahouse.com|access-date=10 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513175048/http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/about/the_architect.aspx|archive-date=13 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> along with their impression of Utzon's designs being impractical, this ultimately led to his resignation in 1966 (see below).

The cost of the project so far, even in October 1966, was still only [[Australian dollar|A$]]22.9&nbsp;million,<ref>[http://www.sydneyarchitecture.com/ROC/QUA01.htm Sydney Architecture] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927010222/http://sydneyarchitecture.com/ROC/QUA01.htm |date=27 September 2007 }}. Retrieved 1 December 2008.</ref> less than a quarter of the final $102&nbsp;million cost. However, the projected costs for the design were at this stage much more significant.
[[File:Sydney Opera House Concert Theatre.JPG|thumb|The Concert Hall prior to renovations in 2020]]
The second stage of construction was progressing toward completion when Utzon resigned. His position was principally taken over by [[Peter Hall (architect)|Peter Hall]], who became largely responsible for the interior design. Other persons appointed that same year to replace Utzon were E. H. Farmer as government architect, D. S. Littlemore and Lionel Todd.

Following Utzon's resignation, the acoustic advisor, Lothar Cremer, confirmed to the Sydney Opera House Executive Committee (SOHEC) that Utzon's original acoustic design allowed for only 2,000 seats in the main hall and further stated that increasing the number of seats to 3,000 as specified in the [[brief (architecture)|brief]] would be disastrous for the acoustics. According to Peter Jones, the stage designer, Martin Carr, criticised the "shape, height and width of the stage, the physical facilities for artists, the location of the dressing rooms, the widths of doors and lifts, and the location of lighting switchboards."<ref name=autogenerated4>page203</ref>

====Significant changes to Utzon's design====
[[File:Foyer of Opera Theatre, Sydney Opera House, jjron, 03.12.2010.jpg|thumb|The foyer of the Joan Sutherland Theatre, showing the internal structure and steel framing of the glass curtain walls; the final constructions were modified from Utzon's original designs]]
[[File:Sydney Opera House - interior (2).jpg|thumb|The foyer of the Concert Hall]]
* The major hall, which was originally to be a multipurpose opera/concert hall, became solely a concert hall, called the Concert Hall. The minor hall, originally for stage productions only, incorporated opera and ballet functions and was called the Opera Theatre, later renamed the Joan Sutherland Theatre. As a result, the Joan Sutherland Theatre is inadequate to stage large-scale opera and ballet. A theatre, a cinema and a library were also added. These were later changed to two live drama theatres and a smaller theatre "in the round". These now comprise the Drama Theatre, the Playhouse and the Studio respectively. These changes were primarily because of inadequacies in the original competition brief, which did not make it adequately clear how the Opera House was to be used. The layout of the interiors was changed, and the stage machinery, already designed and fitted inside the major hall, was pulled out and largely thrown away, as detailed in the 1968 BBC TV documentary ''Autopsy on a Dream'', which "chronicles the full spectrum of controversy surrounding the construction of the Sydney Opera House".<ref>Anderson, Doug: [https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/oct/21/autopsy-on-a-dream-unflattering-national-psyche Review of rediscovered Sydney Opera House film ''Autopsy on a Dream''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305064511/http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/oct/21/autopsy-on-a-dream-unflattering-national-psyche |date=5 March 2016 }} at ''[[The Guardian]]'', 21 October 2013</ref>
* Externally, the cladding to the podium and the paving (the podium was originally not to be clad down to the water, but to be left open).
* The construction of the glass walls: Utzon was planning to use a system of prefabricated plywood [[mullion]]s, but a different system was designed to deal with the glass.
* Utzon's plywood corridor designs, and his acoustic and seating designs for the interior of both major halls, were scrapped completely. His design for the Concert Hall was rejected as it only seated 2000, which was considered insufficient.<ref name="PJones"/> Utzon employed the acoustic consultant Lothar Cremer, and his designs for the major halls were later modelled and found to be very good. The subsequent Todd, Hall and Littlemore versions of both major halls have some problems with acoustics, particularly for the performing musicians. The orchestra pit in the Joan Sutherland Theatre is cramped and dangerous to musicians' hearing.<ref>{{cite news |author=Morgan, Joyce |date=November 2006 |title=The phantoms that threaten the Opera House |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/the-phantoms-that-threaten-the-opera-house/2006/11/10/1162661901377.html |access-date=13 March 2007 |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016055723/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/the-phantoms-that-threaten-the-opera-house/2006/11/10/1162661901377.html |archive-date=16 October 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Concert Hall has a very high roof, leading to a lack of early reflections onstage—[[perspex]] rings (the "acoustic clouds") hanging over the stage were added shortly before opening in an (unsuccessful) attempt to address this problem.

====Completion and cost====
The Opera House was formally completed in 1973, having cost $102&nbsp;million.<ref>New South Wales Government, Department of Commerce, [http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/state-archives/guides-and-finding-aids/archives-in-brief/archives-in-brief-30] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141126044007/http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/state-archives/guides-and-finding-aids/archives-in-brief/archives-in-brief-30|date=26 November 2014}} Accessed 3 December 2014</ref> H.R. "Sam" Hoare, the Hornibrook director in charge of the project, provided the following approximations in 1973:
Stage I: podium Civil & Civic approximately $5.5m.
Stage II: roof shells MR Hornibrook approximately $12.5m.
Stage III: completion  MR Hornibrook $56.5m.
Separate contracts: stage equipment, stage lighting and organ $9.0m. Fees and other costs: $16.5m.

The original cost and scheduling estimates in 1957 projected a cost of [[Australian pound|£]]3,500,000 ($7&nbsp;million) and completion date of 26 January 1963 ([[Australia Day]]).<ref name="PJones"/> In reality, the project was completed ten years late and 1,357% [[over budget]] in real terms.

==== Strike and Workers' Control ====
In 1972, a construction worker was fired, leading the [[Builders Labourers Federation|BLF]]-affiliated workers to demand his rehiring and a 25% wage increase. In response to this, all the workers were fired, and in revenge the workers broke into the construction site with a crowbar and brought their own toolboxes. [[Workers' control]] was applied to the site for five weeks as the construction workers worked 35 hours a week with improved morale, more efficient organization and fewer people skipping work. The workers agreed to end their work-in when management agreed to give them a 25% wage increase, the right to elect their foremen, four weeks annual leave and a large payment for their troubles.<ref>{{Cite book|title=New Forms of Worker Organization: The Syndicalist and Autonomist Restoration of Class Struggle Unionism – Chapter 10: Doing without the boss: Workers' Control Experiments in Australia in the 1970s|last=Ness|first=Immanuel|year=2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 March 2022 |title=The 1972 Sydney Opera House Work-In |url=https://commonslibrary.org/the-1972-sydney-opera-house/ |access-date=18 May 2022 |website=The Commons |language=en-AU}}</ref>

===Utzon and his resignation===
[[File:Sydney Opera House (30111403413).jpg|thumb|The building illuminated at night]]
Before the Sydney Opera House competition, Jørn Utzon had won seven of the 18 competitions he had entered but had never seen any of his designs built.<ref name=autogenerated1>page174</ref> Utzon's submitted concept for the Sydney Opera House was almost universally admired and considered groundbreaking. The Assessors Report of January 1957 stated:

{{blockquote|The drawings submitted for this scheme are simple to the point of being diagrammatic. Nevertheless, as we have returned again and again to the study of these drawings, we are convinced that they present a concept of an Opera House which is capable of becoming one of the great buildings of the world.}}

For the first stage, Utzon worked successfully with the rest of the design team and the client, but, as the project progressed, the Cahill government insisted on progressive revisions. They also did not fully appreciate the costs or work involved in design and construction. Tensions between the client and the design team grew further when an early start to construction was demanded despite an incomplete design. This resulted in a continuing series of delays and setbacks while various technical engineering issues were being refined. The building was unique, and the problems with the design issues and cost increases were exacerbated by commencement of work before the completion of the final plans.

After the 1965 election of the Liberal Party, with [[Robert Askin]] becoming [[Premier of New South Wales]], the relationship of client, architect, engineers and contractors became increasingly tense. Askin had been a "vocal critic of the project prior to gaining office."<ref name="smh.com.au">{{cite news |author=Farrelly, Elizabeth |author-link=Elizabeth Farrelly |title=High noon at Bennelong Point |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/high-noon-at-bennelong-point/2008/11/30/1227979845045.html?page=fullpage |access-date=3 December 2014 |date=30 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807212144/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/high-noon-at-bennelong-point/2008/11/30/1227979845045.html?page=fullpage |archive-date=7 August 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> His new Minister for Public Works, [[Davis Hughes]], was even less sympathetic. [[Elizabeth Farrelly]], an Australian architecture critic, wrote that:
{{blockquote|at an election night dinner party in Mosman, Hughes' daughter Sue Burgoyne boasted that her father would soon sack Utzon. Hughes had no interest in art, architecture or aesthetics. A fraud, as well as a philistine, he had been exposed before Parliament and dumped as Country Party leader for 19 years of falsely claiming a university degree. The Opera House gave Hughes a second chance. For him, as for Utzon, it was all about control; about the triumph of homegrown mediocrity over foreign genius.<ref name="smh.com.au"/>}}
[[File:Sydney Opera House mid-morning b.jpg|left|thumb|The Opera House seen from the north]]
Differences ensued. One of the first was that Utzon believed the clients should receive information on all aspects of the design and construction through his practice, while the clients wanted a system (notably drawn in sketch form by Davis Hughes) where architect, contractors, and engineers each reported to the client directly and separately. This had great implications for [[procurement]] methods and cost control, with Utzon wishing to negotiate contracts with chosen suppliers (such as Ralph Symonds for the plywood interiors) and the New South Wales government insisting contracts be [[Call for bids|put out to tender]].<ref name="PMurray" />

Utzon was highly reluctant to respond to questions or criticism from the client's Sydney Opera House Executive Committee (SOHEC).<ref name=autogenerated2>page 191</ref> However, he was greatly supported throughout by a member of the committee and one of the original competition judges, [[Harry Ingham Ashworth]]. Utzon was unwilling to compromise on some aspects of his designs that the clients wanted to change.

Utzon's ability was never in doubt, despite questions raised by Davis Hughes, who attempted to portray Utzon as an impractical dreamer. Ove Arup actually stated that Utzon was "probably the best of any I have come across in my long experience of working with architects"<ref name=autogenerated7>page 209</ref> and: "The Opera House could become the world's foremost contemporary masterpiece if Utzon is given his head."
[[File:Sydney Opera House, botanic gardens 1.jpg|thumb|left|The Opera House, backed by the [[Sydney Harbour Bridge]], from the eastern [[Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney|Botanic Gardens]]]]

In 1965 Utzon was working closely with [[Ralph Symonds]], a manufacturer of [[plywood]] based in Sydney and highly regarded by many, despite an Arup engineer warning that Ralph Symonds's "knowledge of the design stresses of plywood was extremely sketchy" and that the technical advice was "elementary to say the least and completely useless for our purposes." Australian architecture critic Elizabeth Farrelly has referred to Ove Arup's project engineer Michael Lewis as having "other agendas".<ref name="smh.com.au"/> By February 1966, Utzon was owed more than $100,000 in fees.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/high-noon-at-bennelong-point/2008/11/30/1227979845045.html?page=fullpage |title=High noon at Bennelong Point |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=1 December 2008 |access-date=3 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807212144/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/high-noon-at-bennelong-point/2008/11/30/1227979845045.html?page=fullpage |archive-date=7 August 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Hughes then withheld funding so that Utzon could not even pay his own staff. The government minutes record that following several threats of resignation, Utzon finally stated to Davis Hughes: "If you don't do it, I resign." Hughes replied: "I accept your resignation. Thank you very much. Goodbye."<ref name=autogenerated6>page224</ref>
[[File:Sydney Opera House 2018-08-22 hires.jpg|thumb|The Opera House viewed from the south west]]
Utzon left the project on 28 February 1966. He said that Hughes's refusal to pay him any fees and the lack of collaboration caused his resignation and later described the situation as "Malice in Blunderland". In March 1966, Hughes offered him a subordinate role as "design architect" under a panel of executive architects, without any supervisory powers over the House's construction, but Utzon rejected this. Utzon left Australia, never to return.

Following the resignation, there was great controversy about who was in the right and who was in the wrong. The ''[[Sydney Morning Herald]]'' initially opined: "No architect in the world has enjoyed greater freedom than Mr Utzon. Few clients have been more patient or more generous than the people and the Government of NSW. One would not like history to record that this partnership was brought to an end by a fit of temper on the one side or by a fit of meanness on the other." On 17 March 1966, the ''Herald'' offered the view that:<ref name=autogenerated5>page 228</ref> "It was not his [Utzon's] fault that a succession of Governments and the Opera House Trust should so signally have failed to impose any control or order on the project ... his concept was so daring that he himself could solve its problems only step by step ... his insistence on perfection led him to alter his design as he went along."

[[File:Sydney Opera House (Front 2).jpg|thumb|left|The steps of the Opera House]]

The Sydney Opera House opened the way for the immensely complex geometries of some modern architecture. The design was one of the first examples of the use of [[computer-aided design]] to design complex shapes. The design techniques developed by Utzon and Arup for the Sydney Opera House have been further developed and are now used for architecture, such as works of [[Gehry]] and [[blobitecture]], as well as most reinforced concrete structures. The design is also one of the first in the world to use [[araldite]] to glue the precast structural elements together and proved the concept for future use.

It was also a first in mechanical engineering. Another Danish firm, [[Steensen Varming]], was responsible for designing the new air-conditioning plant, the largest in Australia at the time, supplying over {{convert|600000|cuft|m3}} of air per minute,<ref>Sunday Mail, 9 April 1972</ref> using the innovative idea of harnessing the harbour water to create a water-cooled [[heat pump]] system that is still in operation today.<ref>A. Building a masterpiece 2006</ref>

===Opening===
{{Image frame|style=width: 260px;|content=<span style="{{mirrorH}}">[[File:Opening Sydney Opera House SLNSW FL618590.jpg|250px]]</span>|innerstyle="{{mirrorH}}"|caption={{magnify icon|link=File:Opening Sydney Opera House SLNSW FL618590.jpg}} Opening, Sydney Opera House, 1973}}
The Sydney Opera House was formally opened by [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]], on 20 October 1973. A large crowd attended. The opening was televised and included fireworks and a performance of [[Ludwig van Beethoven|Beethoven]]'s [[Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven)|Symphony No. 9]].<ref>{{cite book | author1=Lewis, Wendy |author-link1=Wendy Lewis |author2=Balderstone, Simon |author3=Bowan, John |title=Events That Shaped Australia | pages=239–243 | publisher=New Holland | year=2006 | isbn=978-1-74110-492-9 }}</ref>

It is frequently erroneously claimed<ref name=myth>{{cite web |url=https://mhnsw.au/stories/general/the-myth-of-a-non-invitation-utzon/ |title=The myth of a non-invitation |publisher=Museums of History New South Wales |access-date=10 June 2025}}</ref> that Utzon was not invited to the opening and his name was not mentioned at the ceremony.<ref name=myth/> Utzon was in fact invited, but he declined in order to avoid the controversy over his dismissal overshadowing the event; and while the Queen's speech did not mention Utzon (or any other involved architect), Premier Askin did credit him.<ref name=myth/>

===Reconciliation with Utzon; building refurbishment===
In the late 1990s, the [[Sydney Opera House Trust]] resumed communication with Utzon in an attempt to effect a reconciliation and to secure his involvement in future changes to the building. In 1999, he was appointed by the trust as a design consultant for future work.<ref>{{cite web | author=Sydney Opera House Media Release | date=August 1999 | title=Utzon Appointment: 'Reunites The Man and his Masterpiece' | url=http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/sections/media_room/media_releases/press_release.asp?idPressRelease=15&sm=5&ss=19 | access-date=13 March 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061118233459/https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/sections/media_room/media_releases/press_release.asp?idPressRelease=15&sm=5&ss=19 | archive-date=18 November 2006 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

[[File:AUS NSW Opera House DSC05119.jpg|thumb|left|The Utzon Room: rebuilt under Utzon in 2000 with his tapestry, ''Homage to Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach'']]
In 2004, the first interior space rebuilt to an Utzon design was opened and renamed "The Utzon Room" in his honour. It contains an original Utzon [[tapestry]] (14.00 x 3.70 metres) called ''[[Homage to Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach]]''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Chiefengineer.org |title=The Sydney Opera House |url=http://www.chiefengineer.org/content/content_display.cfm/seqnumber_content/1823.htm |access-date=13 March 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208055435/http://www.chiefengineer.org/content/content_display.cfm/seqnumber_content/1823.htm |archive-date=8 February 2007 }}</ref> In April 2007, he proposed a major reconstruction of the Opera Theatre, as it was then known.<ref>{{cite news | first=Matthew | last=Benns | title=Utzon wants to tear up floor of the Opera House | date=8 April 2007 | url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/arts/utzon-wants-to-tear-up-floor-of-the-opera-house/2007/04/07/1175366528643.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | access-date=12 April 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070428162235/http://www.smh.com.au/news/arts/utzon-wants-to-tear-up-floor-of-the-opera-house/2007/04/07/1175366528643.html | archive-date=28 April 2007 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref> Utzon died on 29 November 2008, having never returned to Australia to see the completed Opera House.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2008/11/29/sydney-opera-house-designer-joern-utzon-dies-at-90/|title=Sydney Opera House designer Joern Utzon dies at 90|date=29 November 2008|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=24 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024153619/http://www.mercurynews.com/2008/11/29/sydney-opera-house-designer-joern-utzon-dies-at-90/|archive-date=24 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

A state memorial service, attended by Utzon's son Jan and daughter Lin, was held in the Concert Hall on 25 March 2009 featuring performances, readings and recollections from prominent figures in the Australian performing arts scene.

Refurbished Western Foyer and accessibility improvements were commissioned on 17 November 2009, the largest building project completed since Utzon was re-engaged in 1999. Designed by Utzon and his son [[Jan Utzon|Jan]], the project provided improved ticketing, toilet and cloaking facilities. New escalators and a public lift enabled enhanced access for the disabled and families with [[Baby transport|prams]]. The prominent [[Paralympic Games|paralympian]] athlete [[Louise Sauvage]] was announced as the building's "accessibility ambassador" to advise on further improvements to aid people with disabilities.<ref>[http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/uploadedFiles/accessplan.pdf Sydney Opera House: Access Strategic Plan, 2013–2015]{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} on official website</ref>

In 2013, a 60-metre long artwork by artist [[Reg Mombassa]] was unveiled at the Sydney Opera House. The Gumscape, Road and Creatures triptych was commissioned by the Sydney Opera House to cover the scaffolding concealing refurbishment building work.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.noise11.com/news/reg-mombassa-artwork-covers-up-sydney-opera-house-construction-20131001|title=Reg Mombassa Artwork Covers Up Sydney Opera House Construction|website=noise11.com |date=October 2013 |access-date=6 December 2022}}</ref>

On 29 March 2016, an original 1959 tapestry by [[Le Corbusier]] (2.18 x 3.55 metres), commissioned by Utzon to be hung in the Sydney Opera House and called ''[[Les Dés Sont Jetés]]'' (The Dice Are Cast), was finally unveiled ''in situ'' after being owned by the Utzon family and held at their home in Denmark for over 50 years. The tapestry was bought at auction by the Sydney Opera House in June 2015. It now hangs in the building's Western Foyer and is accessible to the public.<ref name=Guard16>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/mar/29/le-corbusier-tapestry-finally-finds-its-home-on-sydney-opera-house-wall|title=When Utzon met Le Corbusier: Sydney Opera House unveils 'eye-catching' tapestry|author=Steph Harmon|date=29 March 2016|work=[[The Guardian]]|accessdate=16 January 2022}}</ref>

In the second half of 2017, the Joan Sutherland Theatre was closed to replace the stage machinery and for other works.

==Architectural design role of Peter Hall==
[[File:Sydney Opera House steps and Harbour Bridge pano.jpg|thumb|upright 1.6|Panoramic view of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge]]

After the resignation of Utzon, the Minister for Public Works, Davis Hughes, and the Government Architect, Ted Farmer, organised a team to bring the Sydney Opera House to completion. The architectural work was divided between three appointees who became the Hall, Todd, Littlemore partnership. David Littlemore would manage construction supervision, Lionel Todd contract documentation, while the crucial role of design became the responsibility of [[Peter Hall (architect)|Peter Hall]].<ref name="webber"/>{{RP|45}}

Hall completed a combined arts and architecture degree at [[University of Sydney|Sydney University]]. Upon graduation a travel scholarship enabled him to spend twelve months in Europe during which time he visited Utzon in [[Hellebæk]].<ref name="ReferenceA">ABC, The Opera House Project, online</ref> Returning to Sydney, Hall worked for the Government Architect, a branch of the NSW Public Works Department. While there he established himself as a talented design architect with a number of court and university buildings, including the Goldstein Hall at the University of New South Wales, which won the [[Sir John Sulman Medal]] in 1964.

Hall resigned from the Government Architects office in early 1966 to pursue his own practice. When approached to take on the design role, (after at least two prominent Sydney architects had declined), Hall spoke with Utzon by phone before accepting the position. Utzon reportedly told Hall: he (Hall) would not be able to finish the job and the Government would have to invite him back.<ref name="webber">{{cite book |author=Webber, Peter |title=Peter Hall: the Phantom of the Opera House |publisher=The Watermark Press |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-949284-95-2 }}</ref>{{rp|page=46}} Hall also sought the advice of others, including architect Don Gazzard who warned him acceptance would be a bad career move as the project would "never be his own".<ref name="webber"/>{{rp|47}}<ref>The Poisoned Chalice by Anne Watson</ref>

Hall agreed to accept the role on the condition there was no possibility of Utzon returning. Even so, his appointment did not go down well with many of his fellow architects who considered that no one but Utzon should complete the Sydney Opera House.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Upon Utzon's dismissal, a rally of protest had marched to Bennelong Point. A petition was also circulated, including in the Government Architects office. Peter Hall was one of the many who had signed the petition that called for Utzon's reinstatement.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

When Hall agreed to the design role and was appointed in April 1966, he imagined he would find the design and documentation for the Stage III well advanced. What he found was an enormous amount of work ahead of him with many aspects completely unresolved by Utzon in relation to seating capacity, acoustics and structure.<ref name="webber"/>{{rp|42}} In addition Hall found the project had proceeded for nine years without the development of a concise client brief. To bring himself up to speed, Hall investigated concert and opera venues overseas and engaged stage consultant Ben Schlange and acoustic consultant Wilhelm Jordan, while establishing his team. In consultation with all the potential building users, the first Review of Program was completed in January 1967. The most significant conclusion reached by Hall was that concert and opera were incompatible in the same hall.<ref name="webber"/>{{rp|53}} Although Utzon had sketched ideas using plywood for the great enclosing glass walls, their structural viability was unresolved when Hall took on the design role.<ref name="webber"/>{{rp|49}} With the ability to delegate tasks and effectively coordinate the work of consultants, Hall guided the project for over five years until the opening day in 1973.

A former Government Architect, Peter Webber, in his book ''Peter Hall: the Phantom of the Opera House'', concludes: when Utzon resigned no one was better qualified (than Hall) to rise to the challenge of completing the design of the Opera House.<ref name="webber"/>{{rp|126}}

==Performance firsts==
[[File:First_Performance_Concert_Hall_Sydney_Opera_House.jpg|thumb|right|Ticket for the first performance at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, September 1973]]
During the construction phase, lunchtime performances were often arranged for the workers, with American vocalist [[Paul Robeson]] the first artist to perform, in 1960.

Various performances were presented prior to the official opening:
* The first solo piano recital was in the Concert Hall on 10 April 1973, played by [[Romola Costantino]] to an invited audience.<ref>{{cite web |author=Bentley, Paul |url=http://www.twf.org.au/search/sohstory3.html |title=The Wolanski Foundation |publisher=Twf.org.au |access-date=23 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140127144413/http://twf.org.au/search/sohstory3.html |archive-date=27 January 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* The first performance of an opera was [[Larry Sitsky]]'s ''[[The Fall of the House of Usher (1965 opera)|The Fall of the House of Usher]]'' (1965), to a libretto by [[Mary Durack]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.suzukimusicwa.com.au/rexhobcroft.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121230222722/http://www.suzukimusicwa.com.au/rexhobcroft.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 December 2012 |title=Suzuki Talent Education Association of Australia (WA) Inc |publisher=Suzukimusicwa.com.au |access-date=23 September 2013 }}</ref> in a double-bill with ''Dalgerie'' by [[James Penberthy]], conducted by [[Rex Hobcroft]]; it took place on 25 July 1973.<ref name="GriffelBlock1999">{{cite book|first1=Margaret Ross|last1=Griffel|author1-link=Margaret Ross Griffel|first2=Adrienne Fried|last2=Block|title=Operas in English: A Dictionary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WxIKAQAAMAAJ|year=1999|publisher=Greenwood Press|isbn=978-0-313-25310-2}}</ref>
* The first opera to be performed in what was then known as the Opera Theatre was [[Sergei Prokofiev]]'s ''[[War and Peace (opera)|War and Peace]]'', on 28 September 1973, conducted by the [[Opera Australia|Australian Opera]]'s Music Director, [[Edward Downes]]. (It had been intended that [[Peter Sculthorpe]]'s work ''[[Rites of Passage (Sculthorpe)|Rites of Passage]]'' would have this honour, but it was not ready on time. ''Rites of Passage'' was premiered almost exactly a year later, on 27 September 1974.){{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
* The first public concert in the Concert Hall took place on 5 September 1973. It was an all-[[Richard Wagner|Wagner]] orchestral concert performed by the [[Sydney Symphony Orchestra]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 October 2013 |title=Timeline: 40 years of the Sydney Opera House |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-20/40-years-of-the-sydney-opera-house/5025816 |access-date=23 May 2022}}</ref> conducted by [[Charles Mackerras]] and with [[Birgit Nilsson]] as the soprano soloist. The first music played was the Prelude to ''[[Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg]]''. The concert closed with the Immolation Scene from ''[[Götterdämmerung]]''.{{citation needed|date=March 2014}}

After the opening:
* The first violin and piano recital was given by [[Wanda Wiłkomirska]], with pianist [[Geoffrey Parsons (pianist)|Geoffrey Parsons]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sigridharris.wordpress.com/2007/11/25/interview-with-a-famous-violinist-wanda-wilkomirska/ |title=Interview with Wanda Wilkomirska |publisher=Sigridharris.wordpress.com |date=25 November 2007 |access-date=23 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108092908/http://sigridharris.wordpress.com/2007/11/25/interview-with-a-famous-violinist-wanda-wilkomirska/ |archive-date=8 November 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Public and commemorative events==
In 1993, [[Constantine Koukias]] was commissioned by the Sydney Opera House Trust in association with REM Theatre to compose ''Icon'', a large-scale music theatre piece for the 20th anniversary of the Sydney Opera House.<ref>{{cite web|title=AusStage|url=http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/18737|website=www.ausstage.edu.au|access-date=29 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805013606/http://ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/18737|archive-date=5 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the [[2000 Summer Olympics]], the venue served as the focal point for the [[Triathlon at the 2000 Summer Olympics|triathlon]] events. The event had a {{Convert|1.5|km|mi|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} swimming loop at Farm Cove, along with competitions in the neighbouring [[Royal Botanical Gardens, Sydney|Royal Botanical Gardens]] for the cycling and running portions of the event.<ref>[http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/2000/2000v1.pdf 2000 Summer Olympics official report.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001109071400/http://www.olympics.com/eng/ |date=9 November 2000 }} Volume 1. pp. 136–37.</ref>

In 2006, tiles from the Sydney Opera House were added to the facade of the [[Tribune Tower]] in Chicago.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 June 2018 |title=How did Tribune Tower get all those stones? |url=https://thenewchicagoan.com/chicago/tribune |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241104093550/https://thenewchicagoan.com/chicago/tribune |archive-date=4 November 2024 |access-date=4 November 2024 |website=The New Chicagoan}}</ref>

[[File:Tribune Tower 02.JPG|thumb|alt=Four square tiles embedded in the facade, arranged in a diamond pattern with the top and bottom tiles lighter in color than the right and left tiles |Tiles from the Sydney Opera House embedded in the facade of the [[Tribune Tower]] in Chicago]]

Since 2013, a group of residents from the nearby [[Bennelong Apartments]], calling themselves the Sydney Opera House Concerned Citizens Group, have been campaigning against Forecourt Concerts on the grounds that they exceed noise levels outlined in the development approval (DA). In February 2017 the [[Department of Planning and & Environment]] handed down a $15,000 fine to the Sydney Opera House for breach of allowed noise levels at a concert held in November 2015. However, the DA was amended in 2016 to allow an increase in noise levels in the forecourt by 5 decibels. The residents opposing the concerts contend that a new DA should have been filed rather than an amendment.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/music/noise-fine-toaster-folks-first-win-over-opera-house-concerts/news-story/91362db275f0485a9ba4475525099de8|title=Noise fine: Toaster folks' first win over Opera House concerts|first=Michaela|last=Boland|newspaper=[[The Australian]]|date=22 February 2017|access-date=10 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s4625239.htm|title=Sydney Opera House fined $15,000 following 'Toaster' noise complaints|first=Al|last=Newstead|publisher=[[Triple J]]|date=23 February 2017|access-date=10 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617234407/http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s4625239.htm|archive-date=17 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Sydney Opera House sails formed a graphic projection-screen in a [[lightshow]] mounted in connection with the [[International Fleet Review 2013|International Fleet Review]] in Sydney Harbour on 5 October 2013.<ref>[http://news.navy.gov.au/en/Aug2013/Events/226/First-look-at-the-International-Fleet-Review-Spectacular.htm#.UzGpEVf4KaR First look at the International Fleet Review Spectacular] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226124537/http://news.navy.gov.au/en/Aug2013/Events/226/First-look-at-the-International-Fleet-Review-Spectacular.htm#.UzGpEVf4KaR |date=26 December 2013 }} Preview at ''Navy Daily'' (official journal), 5 August 2013</ref>

On 31 December 2013, the venue's 40th anniversary year, a [[Sydney New Year's Eve|New Year fireworks display]] was mounted for the first time in a decade.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-30/opera-house-fireworks-break-decade-long-drought/5178922|title=NYE fireworks return to the Sydney Opera House|first=Nicole|last=Chettle|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|date=30 December 2013|access-date=4 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104025525/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-30/opera-house-fireworks-break-decade-long-drought/5178922|archive-date=4 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The Sydney Opera House hosted an event, 'the biggest blind date' on Friday 21 February 2014 that won an historic [[Guinness World Record]].<ref>{{cite web|title=CitySwoon holds the official Guinness World Record® for the world's biggest blind date|url=http://cityswoon.com/biggestblinddate.jsp|access-date=21 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914114319/http://cityswoon.com/biggestblinddate.jsp|archive-date=14 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The longest continuous serving employee was commemorated on 27 June 2018, for 50 years of service.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-27/sydney-opera-house-longest-serving-employee-retires/9915676|title=Curtain call for Sydney Opera House's longest serving employee – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)|newspaper=ABC News|date=27 June 2018|language=en|access-date=19 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718024407/http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-27/sydney-opera-house-longest-serving-employee-retires/9915676|archive-date=18 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Sydney Opera House Vivid 04.jpg|thumb|right|The Sydney Opera House during [[Vivid Sydney]] (2019)]]

On 14 June 2019, a [[State funeral|state memorial service]] for former Australian Prime Minister [[Bob Hawke]] was held at the Sydney Opera House.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-06-14 |last=Stuart |first=Riley |title=Thousands of people — including five former PMs — remember Bob Hawke at Opera House memorial |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-14/bob-hawke-nation-remembers-former-pm-memorial-service-in-sydney/11208988 |access-date=2025-10-03 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>

On 20 October 2023, the Opera House turned 50 years old.<ref>{{Cite web |title=50 years of extraordinary moments {{!}} Sydney Opera House |url=https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/our-story/50-years-extraordinary-moments |access-date=2025-10-03 |website=www.sydneyoperahouse.com |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:2024 Royal Visit Sydney (2).jpg|thumb|The Opera House lit up for the [[2024 royal tour of Australia]]]]

In December 2024, after five years of absence, the Nutcracker returned to the Sydney Opera house. The new production, which is directed by David Hallberg, brings interactions with the contemporary audiences to the classic ballet.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=DTWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fnews%2Fnsw%2Fthe-nutcracker-sydney-opera-house-christmas-performance-returns-after-five-years%2Fnews-story%2F9cf5b0e8dd6aa8e6b7aae9ae291e7c51&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=GROUPA-Segment-2-NOSCORE | title=‘Magical’: Nutcracker performance returns to Sydney Opera House | url-access=subscription | website=[[Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref>

==Controversies==
The Opera House chief executive Louise Herron clashed with Sydney radio commentator [[Alan Jones (broadcaster)|Alan Jones]] on 5 October 2018. Jones called for her sacking for refusing to allow Racing NSW to use the Opera House sails to advertise [[The Everest]] horse race.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saulwick |first=Jacob |date=5 October 2018 |title=Alan Jones calls on Berejiklian to sack Opera House boss over racing dispute |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/alan-jones-calls-on-berejiklian-to-sack-opera-house-boss-over-racing-dispute-20181005-p507x8.html |access-date=15 June 2023 |website=Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Housing Saigon |url=https://housingsgn.com/ |access-date=15 June 2023}}</ref> Within hours, NSW Premier [[Gladys Berejiklian]] overruled Herron. Two days later, Prime Minister [[Scott Morrison]] supported the decision, calling the Opera House "the biggest billboard Sydney has".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-07/pm-says-sydney-opera-house-biggest-billboard-sydney-has/10348398|title=PM Scott Morrison says Opera House is 'the biggest billboard Sydney has'|date=7 October 2018|work=ABC News|access-date=7 October 2018|language=en-AU|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007092051/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-07/pm-says-sydney-opera-house-biggest-billboard-sydney-has/10348398|archive-date=7 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The NSW Labor Party leader, [[Luke Foley]], and senior federal Labor frontbencher [[Anthony Albanese]] had supported the proposal.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/06/its-not-a-billboard-anger-at-use-of-sydney-opera-house-for-horse-racing-ads |title='It's not a billboard': anger at use of Sydney Opera House for horse racing ads |date=6 October 2018 |work=The Guardian |access-date=9 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008174901/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/06/its-not-a-billboard-anger-at-use-of-sydney-opera-house-for-horse-racing-ads |archive-date=8 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The political view was not supported by significant public opinion, with a petition against the advertising collecting over 298,000 names by 9 October 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tendaily.com.au/news/australia/a181009xdz/thousands-attend-sydney-opera-house-protest-shine-lights-onto-sails-20181009|title=Protesters Shine Lights Onto Opera House – ten daily|website=tendaily.com.au|access-date=9 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009154704/https://tendaily.com.au/news/australia/a181009xdz/thousands-attend-sydney-opera-house-protest-shine-lights-onto-sails-20181009|archive-date=9 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> 235,000 printed petition documents were presented to the NSW Parliament in the morning.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.themandarin.com.au/99692-petition-supporting-opera-house-boss-surges-past-265000-signatures/ |work=The Mandarin |title=Petition supporting Opera House boss surges past 265,000 signatures |date=9 October 2018 |access-date=9 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009132200/https://www.themandarin.com.au/99692-petition-supporting-opera-house-boss-surges-past-265000-signatures/ |archive-date=9 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> A survey conducted on 8 October by market research firm Micromex found that 81% of those surveyed were not supportive of the premier's direction.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/eight-out-of-10-in-nsw-opposed-to-berejiklian-s-opera-house-sails-deal-survey-20181009-p508oc.html|title=Eight out of 10 in NSW opposed to Berejiklian's Opera House sails deal: survey|first1=Jacob |last1=Saulwick |first2=Jenny |last2=Noyes |first3=Deborah|last3=Snow|date=9 October 2018|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=17 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307231523/https://web.archive.org/web/20181009211232/https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/eight-out-of-10-in-nsw-opposed-to-berejiklian-s-opera-house-sails-deal-survey-20181009-p508oc.html |archive-date=7 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Coronation controversy===
In 2023, the New South Wales Government scrapped plans to light the sails of the Sydney Opera House in honour of the coronation of King Charles. State Premier Chris Minns argued that the sails had been lit up too often and was costing significant taxpayer money, stating that the cost was somewhere between eighty and one hundred thousand dollars.<ref>{{Cite news |first= Jordyn |last= Beazley |date=8 May 2023 |title=Royal drama at Sydney Opera House after refusal to light up sails for king's coronation |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/08/royal-drama-at-sydney-opera-house-after-refusal-to-light-up-sails-for-kings-coronation |access-date=8 May 2023}}</ref>

==Notable performances==
{{More citations needed section|date=October 2018}}
* 1960 – The first person to perform at the Sydney Opera House was [[Paul Robeson]] – he sang "[[Ol' Man River]]" to the construction workers as they ate lunch.
* 1973 – [[Sergei Prokofiev]]'s ''War and Peace'', on 28 September 1973.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/oceania/australia/new-south-wales/sydney/articles/Sydney-Opera-House-40-fascinating-facts/|title=Sydney Opera House: 40 fascinating facts|last=Porter|first=Lizzie|date=4 February 2016|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=13 February 2018|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131111832/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/oceania/australia/new-south-wales/sydney/articles/Sydney-Opera-House-40-fascinating-facts/|archive-date=31 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 1974 – Opera singer [[Joan Sutherland]] performed for the first time in the theatre that would be named for her.
* 1977 – [[Sammy Davis Junior]] played at the Sydney Opera House on April 9.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sammy Davis, Jr. - In Person: Australia '77 |url=http://sammydavisjr.info/music/releases/original-albums/in-person-australia-77/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=SammyDavisJr.Info |language=en-US}}</ref>
* 1978 – Irish rockers [[Thin Lizzy]] played a free concert on the steps, which was recorded and released as ''[[Thin Lizzy Live at Sydney Harbour '78]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-20/40-years-of-the-sydney-opera-house/5025816|title=Timeline: 40 years of the Sydney Opera House|date=20 October 2013|work=ABC News|access-date=12 February 2018|language=en-AU|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021022300/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-20/40-years-of-the-sydney-opera-house/5025816|archive-date=21 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 1980 – [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] won his final body-building title there.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-24 |title='It stirred the people to breathless wonder and scalding abuse': The tumultuous history of the Sydney Opera House |url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250221-the-tumultuous-history-of-the-sydney-opera-house |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* 1987 – [[Pope John Paul II]] gave a speech in the Concert Hall during his visit to Australia.
* 1990 – [[Nelson Mandela]] addressed a crowd of 40,000 and attended a choral performance of ''Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrica'' ("God Bless Africa").
* 1995 – [[George Bernard Shaw|Bernard Shaw]]'s ''[[Saint Joan (play)|Saint Joan]]'': starring [[Jacqueline McKenzie]] in the title role of [[Joan of Arc]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/120328725/|title=The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales on July 6, 1995 · Page 20|work=Newspapers.com|access-date=12 February 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212142049/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/120328725/|archive-date=12 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 1996 – [[Crowded House]] played their record-breaking ''[[Farewell to the World]]'' concert on the steps.
* 2000 – Swimmer [[Samantha Riley]] stands on top of one of the Concert Hall's shells with the Olympic Torch, before sending the flame on its final journey to light the cauldron at Stadium Australia.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-20/40-years-of-the-sydney-opera-house/5025816|title=Timeline: 40 years of the Sydney Opera House|date=20 October 2013|work=ABC News|access-date=13 February 2018|language=en-AU|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021022300/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-20/40-years-of-the-sydney-opera-house/5025816|archive-date=21 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2003 – [[Pulitzer Prize for Drama|Pulitzer Prize]] winning play ''[[Proof (play)|Proof]]'' by [[David Auburn]], starring Jacqueline McKenzie and [[Barry Otto]].
* 2008 – Premiere performance of "Angels in the Architecture" by [[Frank Ticheli]], a wind band composition inspired by the opera house itself. Conducted by Matthew George.<ref name="LA Phil 2008 o216">{{cite web | title=Angels in the Architecture, Frank Ticheli | website=Los Angeles Philharmonic | date=6 July 2008 | url=https://www.laphil.com/musicdb/pieces/5449/angels-in-the-architecture | access-date=30 April 2024}}</ref>
* 2008 – "Slaughter at the Opera" skateboarding competition held on the forecourt and front steps, 1 March.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Alice Ellis |title=13 rare and wonderful photographs of the Sydney Opera House, in celebration of its 50th birthday |url=https://www.timeout.com/sydney/theatre/13-rare-and-wonderful-photographs-of-the-sydney-opera-house-in-celebration-of-its-50th-birthday |website=Time Out |access-date=12 May 2025 |location=Sydney |date=19 October 2023}}</ref> 
* 2009 – First [[Vivid Sydney|Vivid]] Live Music program curated by [[Brian Eno]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://stories.sydneyoperahouse.com/vivid-live/www.vividlive10.sydneyoperahouse.com|title=Vivid Live: A history in 10 parts|author=<!--Not stated--> |website=stories.sydneyoperahouse.com}}{{Dead link|date=January 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* 2010 – [[Massive Attack]] performed on 16 March.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Massive Attack live at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt March 15, 2010 |url=https://scenewave.com/2010/03/massive-attack-live-at-the-sydney-opera-house-forecourt-march-15-2010/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Scenewave.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
* 2011 – [[Oprah Winfrey]] filmed her Ultimate Australian Adventure in the forecourt.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/our-story/sydney-opera-house-history/spectacular-performances.html|title=A history of spectacular performances|website=www.sydneyoperahouse.com|language=en|access-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212201634/https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/our-story/sydney-opera-house-history/spectacular-performances.html|archive-date=12 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 2014 - [[Bob Dylan]] ends his Australian Tour on 7 September 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vincent |first=Peter |date=2014-06-23 |title=Bob Dylan to play first Sydney Opera House gig |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/bob-dylan-to-play-first-sydney-opera-house-gig-20140623-zsikp.html# |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref>

==Awards==
* RAIA Merit Award, 1974
* Meritorious Lighting Award of the Illuminating Engineering Society of Australia, 1974
* RAIA Civic Design Award, 1980
* RAIA Commemorative Award, Jørn Utzon – Sydney Opera House, 1992
* [[National Award for Enduring Architecture]], 2003<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 November 2003 |title=Sydney Opera House, Jørn Utzon (Stage 2: Hall, Todd and Littlemore) |url=https://architectureau.com/articles/25-year-award-3/ |access-date=20 August 2023 |website=ArchitectureAU.com.au}}</ref>
* [[New South Wales Enduring Architecture Award]], 2003
* [[NSW Architecture Medallion]], 2023 (Renewal by [[Ashton Raggatt McDougall]])<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 2023 |title=Sydney Opera House Concert Hall Renewal {{!}} ARM Architecture |url=https://www.architecture.com.au/archives/awards/sydney-opera-house-concert-hall-renewal-arm-architecture |access-date=8 June 2025 |website=Australian Institute of Architects}}</ref>
* Greenway Award for Heritage, 2023 (NSW)
* John Verge Award for Interior Architecture, 2023 (NSW)
* Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture, 2023
* Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage, 2023

==See also==
{{Portal bar|Australia|Architecture}}
* [[Auditorio de Tenerife]] – a modern structure in [[Canary Islands]], Spain with a similar design
* [[Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía]] – a modern structure in [[Valencia]], Spain with a similar design
* [[Clyde Auditorium]] – a modern structure in Scotland with a visually similar design
* [[Lotus Temple]] – a modern structure in India with a similar design
* [[Australian landmarks]]
* [[List of official openings by Elizabeth II in Australia]]
* [[Man O'War Steps]]
* [[Wonders of the World]]
* [[Mathematics and art]]
* [[Murder of Graeme Thorne]]
* [[Opera in Australia]]
* [[List of World Heritage Sites in Australia]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Attribution===
[[File:CC BY icon-80x15.png]] This Wikipedia article contains material from [http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=5054880 ''Sydney Opera House''], listed on the "[[New South Wales State Heritage Register]]" published by the [[Government of New South Wales]] under [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/ CC-BY 3.0 AU] licence (accessed on 3 September 2017).

==Bibliography==
{{Refbegin}}
* Drew, Philip, "''The Masterpiece: Jørn Utzon: a secret life''", Hardie Grant Books, 1999, {{ISBN|1864980478}}.
* Duek-Cohen, Elias, ''Utzon and the Sydney Opera House'', Morgan Publications, Sydney, 1967–1998. (A small publication intended to gather public opinion to bring Utzon back to the project.)
* Hubble, Ava, ''The Strange Case of Eugene Goossens and Other Tales from The Opera House'', Collins Publishers, Australia, 1988. (Ava Hubble was Press Officer for the Sydney Opera House for 15 years.)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050507062852/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200504/s1355304.htm ''Opera House an architectural "tragedy"'', ABC News Online, 28 April 2005.]
* Murray, Peter "The Saga of Sydney Opera House: The Dramatic Story of the Design and Construction of the Icon of Modern Australia", Publisher Taylor & Francis, 2004, {{ISBN|0415325226}}, 9780415325226
*{{cite book|first=Helen|last=Pitt|title=The House: The Dramatic Story of the Sydney Opera House and the People who Made it|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GROMtgEACAAJ|year=2018|publisher=Allen & Unwin|isbn=978-1-76029-546-2}}
* Stübe, Katarina and Utzon, Jan, ''Sydney Opera House: A Tribute to Jørn Utzon''. Reveal Books, 2009. {{ISBN|978-0-9806123-0-1}}
* Stuber, Fritz, "Sydney's Opera House—Not a World Heritage Item? – Open letter to the Hon. John W. Howard, Prime Minister", in: ''Australian Planner'' (Sydney), Vol. 35, No. 3, 1998 (p.&nbsp;116); ''Architecture + Design'' (New Delhi), Vol. XV, No. 5, 1998 (pp.&nbsp;12–14); ''Collage'' (Berne), No. 3, 1998, (pp.&nbsp;33–34, 1 ill.).
* Watson, Anne (editor), ''"Building a Masterpiece: The Sydney Opera House"'', Lund Humphries, 2006, {{ISBN|0-85331-941-3}}, {{ISBN|978-0-85331-941-2}}.
*{{cite book|editor=Watson, Anne|title=Building a Masterpiece – The Sydney Opera House – Lessons in Space and Environment|location=Sydney|publisher=Powerhouse Publishing|year=2013|type=Hardback|isbn=978-1-86317-152-6|edition=40th Anniversary}}
* Webber, Peter, "''Peter Hall: The Phantom of the Opera House''", The Watermark Press, 2012, {{ISBN|978-0-949284-95-2}}.
* Woolley, Ken, ''Reviewing the performance: the design of the Sydney Opera House'', The Watermark Press, 2010, {{ISBN|9780949284921}}.
* {{Citation | author1=Yeomans |first=John| title=Building the Sydney Opera House | date=1973 | publisher=Hornibrook Group | isbn=978-0-9598748-0-8 |author-link=John Yeomans (writer)}}
* {{Citation | author1=Yeomans |first=John| title=The other Taj Mahal : what happened to the Sydney Opera House | date=1973 | publisher=Longman Australia | edition=New | isbn=978-0-582-71209-6 }}
* {{Citation | author1=Yeomans, John | title=A guide to the Sydney Opera House | date=1973 | publisher=Sydney Opera House Trust | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/9329708 | access-date=10 December 2016 }}
{{Refend}}

==Archival holdings==
* [https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/series/12825 NRS 12825] – Competition drawings submitted by Jørn Utzon to the Opera House Committee, 1956. Held by [[State Archives and Records Authority of New South Wales|New South Wales State Archives and Records]].

==External links==
{{Commons and category|Sydney Opera House|Sydney Opera House}}
* {{Official website|https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com}}
* [http://theoperahouseproject.com/ie/default.htm ABC, The Opera House Project]
* [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/166 World heritage listing for Sydney Opera House] At unesco.org, 2007
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060824114700/http://image.sl.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/ebindshow.pl?doc=on122%2Fa270 Photographs of the construction]
* [http://gallery.records.nsw.gov.au/index.php/galleries/sydney-opera-house/sydney-opera-house-drawings/ Competition drawings submitted by Jørn Utzon to the Opera House Committee]
* [http://www.twf.org.au/search/soh1.html Wolanski Foundation's annotated bibliography of sources on Sydney Opera House]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190114210508/http://www.matttaylor.com/public/papers_10/sydney/sydney_opera_house.htm Architect Matt Taylor's response to the building]
* Listen to an excerpt from the 'Sydney Opera House Opening Concert' and read more about it on [http://aso.gov.au/titles/music/sydney-opera-house-opening/ Australian screen online]
* [http://filmartmedia.com/?p=419 ''The Edge of the Possible'' Documentary film with Jørn Utzon] at filmartmedia.com, 21 September 2011
* [http://www.abc.net.au/arts/blog/arts-desk/Autopsy-on-a-Dream-Sydney-Opera-House-131015/default.htm Autopsy On a Dream – the making of the Sydney Opera House] at [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC Arts News]] 17 October 2013
* [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-20/40-years-of-the-sydney-opera-house/5025816 Timeline: 40 years of the Sydney Opera House] at [[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] 22 October 2013
* {{cite web | url = http://dictionaryofsydney.org/building/sydney_opera_house | title = Sydney Opera House | access-date = 8 October 2015 | work=[[Dictionary of Sydney]]}} <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Creative Commons license|CC-By-SA]]<nowiki>]</nowiki>. Includes 'Sydney Opera House' by Laila Ellmoos, 2008 and 'Utzon's Opera House' by Eoghan Lewis, 2014.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160711062005/https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/partner/sydney-opera-house Sydney Opera House at Google Cultural Institute]
* [https://houseinteriorblog.com/sydney-opera-house-at-google-cultural-institute-a-marvel-of-modern-architecture Sydney Opera House at Google Cultural Institute]
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=i1YEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA62 LIFE Magazine Jan. 6, 1967 article about its construction]
* [https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/archives-reveal-more-history-hornibrook-innovation-building-sydney-opera-house Archives reveal more history of Hornibrook innovation in the building of Sydney Opera House], 2021, Julie Hornibrook, John Oxley Library Blog, State Library of Queensland.

{{Jørn Utzon}}
{{Sydney landmarks}}
{{Theatres in Sydney}}
{{World Heritage Sites in Australia}}
{{2000 Summer Olympic venues}}
{{Olympic venues triathlon}}
{{Architecture of Sydney |state=autocollapse}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Sydney Opera House| ]]
[[Category:Sydney Harbour]]
[[Category:Music venues in Sydney]]
[[Category:Ballet venues]]
[[Category:Concert halls in Australia]]
[[Category:Opera houses in Australia]]
[[Category:Theatres in Sydney]]
[[Category:Landmarks in Sydney]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Sydney]]
[[Category:Music venues completed in 1973]]
[[Category:Theatres completed in 1973]]
[[Category:1973 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Mathematics and art]]
[[Category:Venues of the 2000 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic triathlon venues]]
[[Category:Australian National Heritage List]]
[[Category:Jørn Utzon buildings]]
[[Category:Ove Arup buildings and structures]]
[[Category:Concrete shell structures]]
[[Category:Expressionist architecture]]
[[Category:Modernist architecture in Australia]]
[[Category:Architectural controversies]]
[[Category:New South Wales State Heritage Register sites located in the Sydney central business district]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures awarded the Sir John Sulman Medal]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in New South Wales]]
[[Category:Sydney Symphony Orchestra]]