Sydney Opera House

Coordinates: 33°51′31″S 151°12′51″E / 33.85861°S 151.21417°E / -33.85861; 151.21417
This article is about a World Heritage Site
From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House is located in Sydney
Sydney Opera House
Location of Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House is located in New South Wales
Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House (New South Wales)
Sydney Opera House is located in Australia
Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House (Australia)
General information
StatusComplete
TypePerforming arts centre
Architectural styleExpressionist
LocationBennelong Point, Sydney
CountryAustralia
Coordinates33°51′31″S 151°12′51″E / 33.85861°S 151.21417°E / -33.85861; 151.21417
Elevation4 m (13 ft)
Current tenants
Groundbreaking1 March 1959
Construction started1 March 1959
Completed1973
Opened20 October 1973
Inaugurated20 October 1973
CostA$102 million, equivalent to ~A$927 million in 2016[1]
ClientNSW government
OwnerNSW Government
Height65 m (213 ft)
Dimensions
Other dimensions
  • length 183 m (600 ft)
  • width 120 m (394 ft)
  • area 1.8 ha (4.4 acres)
Technical details
Structural systemConcrete frame & precast concrete ribbed roof
Design and construction
ArchitectJørn Utzon
Structural engineerOve Arup & Partners
Main contractorCivil & Civic (level 1), M.R. Hornibrook (level 2 and 3 and interiors)
Other information
Seating capacity
  • Concert Hall 2,679
  • Joan Sutherland Theatre 1,507
  • Drama Theatre 544
  • Playhouse 398
  • The Studio 400
  • Utzon Room 210
  • Total 5,738
Website
sydneyoperahouse.com
TypeCultural
Criteriai
Designated2007 (31st session)
Reference no.166rev
State PartyAustralia
RegionAsia-Pacific
TypeHistoric
Criteriaa, b, e, f, g, h
Designated12 July 2005
Reference no.105738
TypeBuilt
Criteriaa, b, c, d, e, f, g
Designated3 December 2003
Reference no.01685
References
Coordinates[2]

The Sydney Opera House is an opera house and iconic building on the shores of Sydney Harbour, in Sydney, Australia. It is shaped like the sails of a boat. Many concerts and events take place there, with 2000 performances a year presented by Opera Australia, Australia's national opera company.[3] It is a famous tourist attraction.

History[change | change source]

The land where the Sydney Opera House stands is called Bennelong Point. Bennelong Point was once home to Fort Macquarie (the fort was built in 1817 and knocked down in 1901). On 10 August 1902, the Fort Macquarie Tram Depot was opened at Bennelong Point. The depot was knocked down in 1958. The Sydney Opera House was built on the same spot and the work began in 1959.

It was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon. He won a design competition in 1957. Utzon left the project in February 1966 because the government was not paying his invoices. The building finally opened on 20 October in 1973. The project was completed ten years later and cost more than fourteen times the original budget. In 2001, Utzon was invited back to restore the building and change it back towards his original designs.

Related pages[change | change source]

References[change | change source]

  1. "Inflation Calculator". RBA. 14 February 1966. Archived from the original on 3 March 2017. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  2. Topographic maps 1:100000 9130 Sydney and 1:25000 91303N Parramatta River
  3. "About Opera Australia". Business Events Sydney. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.

Other websites[change | change source]

Media related to Sydney Opera House at Wikimedia Commons