It was late afternoon, on an overcast pleasant day in Sydney’s summer. An ideal day to delve into the history and construction of the historical building with a concentrated tour, guided by Peter Sekules (Visitor Experiences, Tours & Retail – Sydney Opera House).
Starting from mid-1950s…it was the Danish architect, Jørn Utzon, who created the iconic sculpture on Sydney Harbour. To quote US architect Frank Gehry, “it changed the image of an entire country.”
The main concert hall was newly refurbished in 2022 after more than two years of extensive upgrades. The Concert Hall is one of the world’s largest (2600 seats) and longest (45 metres) performing arts halls in the world. The sound across this space has been enhanced, a highly technical challenge for acousticians, along with the need to perfect the sound quality for both acoustic and amplified performances in the hall.
To view the full details of the Sydney Opera House extensive renewal, click here
2023 marks the 50th anniversary of this world renowned building. There are year-long special program of performances, free community events, festivals and experiences from major Australian and international artists. The 50th anniversary season will showcase the very best of contemporary culture theatres, on the Forecourt and online. Free outdoor concerts, community events, First Nations storytelling, tours, public art, exhibitions, and special resident company collaborations will encourage hundreds of thousands of people – locals and visitors from around the world – to experience the wonder of the Sydney Opera House.
Words and Photos & Video Clip: Raj Suri, Sydney , 31 January 2023
