The Sydney Opera House, is an absolutely fantastic spectacle of the southern hemisphere and really just outlines how great Australia is. The Sydney opera house with its distinctive sculptural shells, must be one of the architectural masterpieces of the modern era. Every year, around 4.5 million tourists come to see it which istwice the number that visit the White House.
It is the result of an international design contest won by Danish architect Joern Utzon in 1956, the massive structure perched on Bennelong Point (where an Aborigine named Bennelong held concerts for early colonists and natives) took nearly 17 years and $102 million to complete.
Utzon, inspired by sails, mandarins, palm leaves and such, wasn't too concerned with mundanities like budgets, and left mid-project before his grand interior vision was realised. Hence the common observation that all the glamour's on the outside. Still, with such an exterior, who's quibbling?
Since its opening in 1973, well over 100 million people have seen the famous sails in situ. And it seems most have photographed them, too: the Sydney Opera House is one of the most happy-snapped structures on earth.
Performances
The Opera House is more than an empty shell: what happens inside is as inspired as the structure itself. With around 2,600 shows per year, it's one of the world's busiest arts venues. Over 45 million bums have sat on Opera House seats for 100,000-plus performances of ballet, opera, ensemble and orchestral music.
The Opera House contains five purpose-built performance spaces. The Concert Hall is the site of the Southern Hemisphere's largest pipe organ, is used primarily for orchestral performances; The smaller Opera Theatre is generally reserved for opera and dance. Most theatre performances are accommodated in the Drama Theatre, Playhouse and Studio. The Forecourt is often enlivened with performances.
Guided Tours
The Opera House has a range of tours operating daily. Tours leave approximately every 30 minutes from 8.30am to 5.00pm.
They're popular: around 300,000 visitors annually climb the steps, gape at the views, marvel at the huge organ and poke behind the scenes. Special tours are available for those with a disability or specific interest.
As you can see there is an aweful lot offered to anyone at the Opera House, whether you want to look at the scenery or take a tour, if you are in Australia, make sure you visit it.
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