Sydney Opera House Facts

Sydney Opera House, the landmark of Sydney is an architectural wonder. It's amongst the most recognizable prototypes that define the modern world. There are many fascinating facts regarding the inception of this marvelous complex.

This renowned structure is situated on Bennelong Point in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The Sydney Opera House was the brainchild of Danish architect Jorn Oberg Utzon (April 9, 1918 - November 29, 2008).

➤ The Director of the New South Wales (NSW) State Conservatorium of Music, Eugene Goossens, in the late 1940s expressed a wish for the construction of a proper theatrical house larger than the Sydney Town Hall. But it took fourteen long years before NSW Premier Joseph Cahill solicited for a opera house design.

➤ A design competition for the opera house was announced by the NSW, on September 13,1955 to ensure best design in terms of practical use of space and design.

➤ The shell like shapes, made of white Swedish tiles, got alive the artistic moods of the Opera House. The effect of dawn to dusk is excellently played by the brilliance of white tile surfaces.

➤ Architects from more than 32 countries participated in this competition. A 39 year old architect from Denmark, Jorn Oberg Utzon was declared winner and awarded the construction project 2 years later. He was also given a prize money of £5,000 and later won the Pritzker Prize, globally known to be architecture's highest honor.

➤ The Opera House was built on 4.4 acres of land and is 183 meters long, 120 meters wide. The original estimated construction cost was US $7 million but final cost was around US $102 million.

➤ The actual building of Opera House took 10 years more than intended date (January 26, 1963) and costed aprroximately 14 times more than its original quotation.

➤ Before the construction, Bennelong Point was developed as Governor Macquarie Fort and was later used as a tram shed.

➤ The Sydney Opera House is the world's most characteristic buildings of the 20th century and also is one of the world's most famed venues for performing arts.

➤ 233 designs were submitted in the competition, and after evaluation, the present design was selected. This monumental building has Opera Theater, Playhouse, Studio, Utzon Room, Drama Theater, the Forecourt.

➤ It is home for a recording studio, two retail outlets, restaurants, bars. Important ceremonies, social functions and conferences are also held here.

➤ On 20th October, 1973, Queen Elizabeth II inaugurated the Sydney Opera House. It accommodates the Sydney Theater Company, Opera Australia and the Sydney Symphony.

➤ The entire complex is handled by the Sydney Opera House Trust under the New South Wales Ministry of Arts. The studio has a maximum capacity of 400 people.

➤ Guided tours are arranged for approximately 350,000 people every year. The Playhouse, an end-stage theater has a seating capacity of 398 people.

➤ It also has its own opera called 'The Eighth Wonder'. Since its opening in 1973, 3000 events are conducted every year, having an annual audience of 2 million approximately, for its performances.

Australian tourism has received a boost since this extraordinary marvel was built. The Sydney Opera House is an artistic expression of world culture and heritage. People from around the globe throng this building to have an enthralling experience in the musical journey. If you are on a tour to Australia, don't forget to visit this architectural wonder.