Sydney Opera House: BBC Background, History

[TLCOhio]

From the BBC three days ago, they had this headline: “Sydney Opera House: The monument that represents Australia” with this sub-headline: "In honour of its 50th anniversary, Sydney-based correspondent Nick Bryant explains how the building came to symbolise Australia, and why its original architect never saw it in person."

 

Here are some of his reporting highlights: “The Sydney Opera House recently commemorated its 50th anniversary. The iconic design is one associated with the Australian city the world over, along with the steel arch bridge, which spans the harbour. Considered a triumph of 20th Century architecture, it very nearly didn't get built in the international search to find a design.  This vision of modern beauty, with its famous curves covered in more than a million bright white ceramic tiles, was initially placed in the reject pile. But its journey to realisation says much about Australia today.”

 

Additionally, the author shared: "The country's most instantly recognisable building is a landmark to Australian ambiguity. The most obvious interpretation is that it represents Australia's rising post-war self-confidence. The appointment of Jørn Utzon, a little-known Danish architect without a major project to his name, was a sign of a less insular outlook and a new spirit of national assertiveness.  The opera house probably would never have been built had it not been financed by lottery money, reflecting the centrality of gambling in Australian life. "

 

Full story at:

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20231102-the-sydney-opera-house-the-monument-that-represents-australia

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 246,053 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1896175-solstice-live-australianzhawaii-many-pix’s-jan-20-feb-3/

[MMDown Under]

Thank you Terry.  It has been a big year for the Opera House's 50th anniversary.

[TLCOhio]

23 hours ago, MMDown Under said:

Thank you Terry.  It has been a big year for the Opera House's 50th anniversary.

 

Yes, hard to image that this famed location is 50 years old. Quite an amazing history, its construction details, design history, etc. We saw it from several different angles outside, did a tour inside, plus attended an opera program there. Fun learning so much about this world-known symbol and landmark.

 

Below from our 2014 visit to Sydney are a few of my visual highlights, both outside and inside.

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 249,372 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

 

From our early 2014 visit, here are three of my visuals from different locations at different times, including at night.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

 

 

 

Here we are in the Joan Sutherland Theatre intermission lobby with its unique glass structuring that overlooking the harbor. Second is another angle from this area to show its unusual construction design/style.  Third is the dramatic design inside one of the theaters.  Interesting?:

 

 

 

Outside of the building, we were able during our tour to see and feel these tiles that were special made in Sweden. These roof tiles are actually made of two different tone on outside of Opera House roof. If these tiles were pure white, it would be too bright and glaring. :

 

Here is our Opera House guide giving us added background in main entrance lobby to one of the two main theaters. Lots of wood on many of the inside surfaces of this structure. High, soaring ceilings here.:

[TLCOhio]

Doing a performance at the Sydney Opera House was nice and gave us more of a sense for why this large facility continues to be so famous and loved.  It was a late morning opera by some guy name Mozart.  Remember him?

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Canada 2022/2023: Scenic visuals, details from Canada Maritimes (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island).  Plus, new from Aug. 2023, exploring historic/charming Quebec City.    Visual/Info Summaries:

www.flickr.com/photos/196555480@N08/albums

 

Here are few more visuals from our enjoying the performance of The Magic Flute in the Joan Sutherland Theatre of the Sydney Opera House complex. Sorry, they did not allow pictures during this opera performance. Wish I could have taken pictures as the cast, costumes, staging and sets were beyond great. Really first-rate, innovative and so very professional!! Plus, done in English, too!! That helps.  Second is a view of the theater interior during the intermission:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

 

 

Next are two views showing the reception area for refreshments during the opera intermission. Notice the nice red carpet, plus the views out to the harbor and seeing the famed bridge. Also, it is good to appreciate the details for how all of this steel and glass were put together in this part of this structure. Not your normal, bland, boring building design.:

 

[NSWP]

Nice to hear from you Terry.  I have only been to one concert at the Opera house but it was memorable.

[MMDown Under]

Thanks for the photos of the inside of the Opera House.  I agree it is a good idea to go to a show at the Opera House to appreciate how special the Opera House is.  

[MicCanberra]

Cheers

[Sparky74]

10 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

Doing a performance at the Sydney Opera House was nice and gave us more of a sense for why this large facility continues to be so famous and loved…

When I read this I thought Terry was performing. 😱

[buchhalm]

6 minutes ago, Sparky74 said:

When I read this I thought Terry was performing. 😱

My though as well

[buchhalm]

The SOH. One of the few instantly recognised buildings in the world.

And it has the same birthday as I.

(Minus a few years).

[iq6000]

I went to the opening, just after my 10th birthday, with my sisters and parents. It was a memorable day. We didn't have much money back then and our parents took us to free events whenever possible. I took my first ever photos, of balloons and of naval ships, with my (new to me) Box Brownie camera. My pride and joy!

I ended up going to quite a few performances there in the 1970s and 1980s until I married and left NSW. It was always special to visit the Opera House.
We have a family connection to the building through one of my grandmother's brothers, an artist who held an exhibition there in 1978. The Opera House mural, Salute to 5 Bells, is his "six degrees of separation" story.

[TLCOhio]

7 hours ago, buchhalm said:

The SOH. One of the few instantly recognised buildings in the world.  And it has the same birthday as I.  (Minus a few years).

 

Appreciate these super wonderful visuals from buchhalm and the various other follow-ups.  

 

Great sharing and detailed experiences.  Keep it coming.  Always fascinating to see more and learn added experiences related to the world landmark.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[MicCanberra]

I too remember the day it opened but not because it opened, but rather it was my brother's birthday. It meant soft drink and cake.