Sydney Opera House during the Vivid Sydney festival* (10) (2014) by Matthew WuSydney Opera House
The architect quit and other fun facts about this masterpiece of modern architecture
The Sydney Opera House is one of the 21st century’s most iconic and recognizable buildings. Since its inauguration, the landmark has been at the cutting edge of musical and performing arts in Australia.
The Opera House was designed by Danish architect, Jørn Utzon, who won the commission in an international design competition. Although visually stunning, the sail-like roof proved problematic to say the least. In fact, it was so challenging that Utzon himself resigned from the project in 1966.
Despite the difficulties posed by the challenging design, work continued until the building was complete and functional. 2018 marked the Opera House’s 45th anniversary, to celebrate, here are five more little-known facts about the Sydney Opera House.
Sydney Opera House during the Vivid Sydney festival* (10), Matthew Wu, 2014 (From the collection of Sydney Opera House)
1. The first performance was given by the activist Paul Robeson
The first live performance happened in 1960, a full 13 years before the Opera House was officially opened. The song was Ol’ Man River and the performer was American singer and notable civil rights activist, Paul Robeson. During a visit to the construction site, Robeson climbed up the scaffolding and sang to all the workers on their lunch break.
Robeson was visiting Australia on a tour and, contractually, was not able to give free performances. He skirted the potential contract violation by making sure he had no musical accompaniment.
By Alfred EisenstaedtLIFE Photo Collection
Photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt, 1940 (From the collection of LIFE Photo Collection)
2. The venue was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II
On October 20th, 1973, Queen Elizabeth II provided the official inauguration. In her speech she made reference to the technical difficulties the building had faced, saying:
“I understand that its construction has not been totally without problems. But every great imaginative venture has had to be tempered by the fire of controversy. Controversy of the most extreme kind attended the building of the pyramids, yet they stand today – 4000 years later – acknowledged as one of the wonders of the world. So, I hope and believe it will be with the Sydney Opera House.”
The Queen meets young people supported by The Prince's Trust (8 March 2016) by Chris JacksonClarence House
The Queen meets young people supported by The Prince’s Trust, by Chris Jackson, 8 March 2016 (From the collection of Clarence House)
She was proved right when, in 2007, UNESCO listed the Sydney Opera House as a world heritage site.
3. There is a net installed above the orchestra pit (after a live chicken once fell in)
It’s not quite the kind of tail-feather shaking live musicians are used to but it’s the kind the orchestra got when, in the 1980s, a live chicken fell into the orchestra pit.
Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall (1973) by Max DupainSydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall, Max Dupin, 1973 (From the collection of Sydney Opera House)
The opera playing was Boris Godunov, which featured live birds. Mid-performance, one of these chickens walked off the stage and took up a new position where it landed—on top of a cellist. After this, the Joan Sutherland Theatre thought it was best to install a net above the orchestra pit in case any birds went awry in the future.
4. There is a fine-dining restaurant, Bennelong, inside the opera house
While many people think of the Opera House as being a single musical hall, the reality is that it is actually comprised of several concert halls, theaters, and performance spaces.
In fact, the Opera House is so big that eight Boeing 747s can fit wing-to-wing inside it. It’s little wonder then that the venue also houses one of Australia’s premier restaurants, Bennelong.
Bennelong Restaurant, interior (2014) by Brett Stevens and Fink GroupSydney Opera House
Bennelong Restaurant, interior, Brett Stevens and Fink Group, 2014 (From the collection of Sydney Opera House)
The unique dining room is under one of the distinctive sail-shaped roof peaks. Under the guidance of head chef Peter Gilmore, Bennelong dishes up modern Australian cuisine made with local produce and serves it with the best of Australian wines.
Bennelong Restaurant, kitchen (2014) by Brett Stevens and Fink GroupSydney Opera House
Bennelong Restaurant, kitchen, Brett Stevens and Fink Group, 2014 (From the collection of Sydney Opera House)
5. The organ in the opera house is the largest mechanical music instrument in the world
The aptly named Grand Organ in the Sydney Opera House is comprised of more than 10,000 individual pipes – 10,154, to be precise. Of these, a tremendous 2,700 pipes can sound simultaneously.
Grand Organ, division of a few of the 10,154 pipes, detail (2016) by Sam DoustSydney Opera House
Grand Organ, division of a few of the 10,154 pipes, detail, Sam Doust, 2016 (From the collection of Sydney Opera House)
Although the instrument was budgeted to cost around 400,000 AUD, the final cost set the New South Wales government back more than one million AUD. The Grand Organ sits in pride of place in the Concert Hall.
Grand Organ, keyboards, with 131 speaking stops either side (2016) by Sam DoustSydney Opera House
Grand Organ, keyboards, with 131 speaking stops either side, Sam Doust, 2016 (From the collection of Sydney Opera House)
Dynamic, powerful, and the very epitome of a landmark, the Sydney Opera House has been wowing architectural enthusiasts and visitors alike for the last 45 years. Prior to colonization, the site itself was a sacred place to the Gadigal, an Aboriginal tribe. They called the area “Tubowgule” meaning “where the knowledge waters meet.”
Perched over the water at Bennelong Point, the Opera House’s distinctive sails and sheer size provided the city of Sydney with a facility to be proud of, and one that has supported the nation’s flourishing arts and music scene.
Today, the Opera House plays host to around 40 performances each week, and long may it continue to do so.
