The Dennis Wolanski Library and Archive of the Performing Arts
Celebrating the cultural time capsule of the Sydney Opera House archives and the history of the Dennis Wolanski Library and Archive of the Performing Arts.
Students in the Library (1978) by Sydney Opera House and The Wolanski CollectionSydney Opera House
The Dennis Wolanski Library and Archive is home to the chronicles of the Sydney Opera House and the records of many pivotal performing arts moments in Australian history.
Jørn Utzon's competition submission drawing number 1 (1956) by Jørn UtzonSydney Opera House
The Plans: Where it began
The designs for the new Sydney Opera House evolved as Danish architect Jørn Utzon refined his ideas. To document the plans for the public, the government printed the proposed designs and architectural solutions in a series of books that were known by their colours.
Ground floor of the Sydney Opera House (1959) by Sydney Opera HouseSydney Opera House
The Gold Book was prepared by Utzon in 1959, shortly after winning the international design competition. These plans included a library on the ground floor. Not all the ideas were realised, as the project evolved, and architect changed midway through the project.
Stage Three: Peter Hall, David Littlemore and Lionel Todd (1973) by Max Dupain, State Library of New South WalesSydney Opera House
A change in brief
In 1966, when Utzon was forced to leave the project, the new state government appointed an Australian consortium – Hall, Todd & Littlemore, led by architect Peter Hall – to complete the Opera House.
Harbour Restaurant (1980) by Sydney Opera HouseSydney Opera House
The government also changed the design brief for the yet-to-be-completed interiors, including swapping the functions of the two major venues, leading to opportunities for new theatres. By 1973, the proposed location of the library had become the Harbour Restaurant.
Dennis Wolanski OAM (1986) by Gary Ede and The Wolanski CollectionSydney Opera House
Dennis Wolanski OAM
Dennis Wolanski OAM was a Sydney businessman, philanthropist and sculptor, with a lifelong interest in arts and culture. Wolanski joined the advisory panel for the Library Sub-Committee from its creation in 1974, taking on the role of Chairman in April 1990.
An oral history by Phillip Wolanski AM
A personal account of how the Library came to be from Dennis' son, Phillip.
The Dennis Wolanski Library and Archive of the Performing Arts (1983) by The Wolanski Collection and Sydney Opera HouseSydney Opera House
The Dennis Wolanski Library of the Performing Arts
Following the first substantial donation from Dennis Wolanski, the library opened in 1973. It preserved material about the Opera House and the performing arts. It played a significant role in research services, oral history interviews, and onsite exhibitions.
Former Recording Hall (1978) by The Wolanski Collection and Sydney Opera House TrustSydney Opera House
The Dennis Wolanski Library of the Performing Arts expanded and was relocated onsite several times, including temporarily moving to the Recording Hall, now known as the Studio.
Former Exhibition Hall (1985) by The Wolanski Collection and Sydney Opera HouseSydney Opera House
In 1975, the Exhibition Hall became the home of the Library. The move provided more space for storage, public visitors and exhibitions. At this time, the Library aimed to be more systematic in their collection approach and concentrated on Australia theatre and drama.
Libraries and exhibition spaces were a common feature in performing arts centres designed in the mid twentieth century. Examples from the period include the libraries in the Barbican Centre in London.
The Dennis Wolanski Library of the Performing Arts provided a resource for staff, artists and the public. The subjects covered by the library included theatre, drama, music, opera, dance, cinema, radio, television, music hall, puppetry, circus and other forms of entertainment.
Flyer for the Library (1979) by The Wolanski Collection and Sydney Opera HouseSydney Opera House
The Library advertised their services widely. They encouraged people to visit and donate money and items for the collection. They had a big collection of reference books and periodicals supported by a growing collection of programs, posters, photos, scrap books and recordings.
An oral history by Phillip Wolanski
Wolanski remembers the Library, some of the items and how it grew over the years.
Building of the Century exhibition (1988) by The Wolanski CollectionSydney Opera House
Exhibitions
The Library regularly produced exhibitions that attracted thousands of visitors a year. Exhibitions included the history of the Harbour Bridge, the Art and Technology of Make-up, Historic Interiors, Century of Sound, Designing Minds and Portraits in Time.
Nola Dekyvere (Ladies Committee President) and Lady Rowland (patron) (1982) by The Wolanski Collection and Sydney Opera HouseSydney Opera House
The Ladies Committee
The Sydney Opera House Ladies Committee is the Opera House's oldest continually operating fundraising group: its inaugural meeting, in 1956, took place three years before the start of construction on the building itself.
In order to sustain support throughout construction, the Ladies Committee was empowered by NSW Premier, Joe Cahill, to arrange fundraising events and activities from 1957. The Committee organised many social functions, including opera balls and a national aria competition. In 1968, the Committee went into recess as the pace of construction extended beyond expectations. After the opening in 1973, its members were approached by Opera House management to resume their activities.
Poster for The Archives of Theatrical Memorabilia exhibition by the Ladies Committee (1976) by The Wolanski Collection and Sydney Opera HouseSydney Opera House
The Library was generously supported by the Ladies’ Committee. They enabled the acquisition and conservation of archives about the Opera House and amongst other projects, funded oral history interviews with people who created the Opera House.
Ladies Committee today (2024) by Sydney Opera HouseSydney Opera House
The Ladies Committee continue to donate to the Opera House. They enable Arts Assist, subsidies for students from lower-socio economic schools, and broader programs providing barrier-free access, making the site, building and experiences offered accessible to everyone.
Closure of the Library (1983) by Sydney Opera HouseSydney Opera House
Closure of the Library
The Library closed in 1997 following changes in the priorities of the NSW Government, as well as space and staff shortages. Most of the collection is now held by several of the Opera House's cultural partners.
Objects, scores, many recordings, and content related to performing arts more generally were transferred to the Opera House’s cultural partners including the State Library of NSW and the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. Other material went to the library at UNSW Sydney, Arts Centre Melbourne's Performing Arts Collection and the Seaborn, Broughton and Walford Foundation. The Opera House retains material from the Library, now known as the Wolanski Collection.
Cover of the program for the inaugural concert War and Peace (1973) by Sydney Opera HouseSydney Opera House
The Wolanski Collection includes programs, images, memorabilia, artwork, oral histories, and plans.
White elephant ticket (1964) by The Wolanski Collection and University of NSWSydney Opera House
During the fraught years of construction, some people labelled the building a “white elephant” as doubts spread that it would ever be finished. Playing on this theme, students from the University of NSW created a white elephant ticket for the Foundation Day Appeal Fund.
Phillip Wolanski AM (2014) by Sydney Opera HouseSydney Opera House
Continued Wolanski connection
Continuing the family connection, Phillip Wolanski AM joined the Library Sub-Committee and became Chairman in 1992. He reconnected with the Opera House and was appointed Trustee in 2014 and Chair of the Conservation Council.
Sound engineer operate Sydney Opera House equipment (2024-04-17) by Ken LeanforeSydney Opera House
The Opera House continues to collect items related to items related to its history. They are an important part of our heritage and require conservation. A program to digitise the collections allows preservation and ensures more people than ever can engage with our stories.
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