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Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
GPS: -33.855726512885, 151.21628101108
Travel info about the Sydney Opera House will show that it is located on the tip of a peninsula overlooking one of Australia’s most beautiful bays, the Sydney Opera House can be considered a masterpiece of contemporary architecture. The building, which stands in the middle of the bustling harbour of the New South Wales capital, was initially criticised for being too futuristic and confusing. Many of its critics would later acknowledge that the project had the merit of pushing the boundaries of modern human engineering in terms of structural design, artistic beauty and innovative construction methods.
The inspiration for the Sydney Opera House was the work of Jørn Oberg Utzon, a young, little-known Danish architect. Winner of the international competition launched by the State of New South Wales in 1955-1957, Utzon’s ambitious project was the winning proposal from the 233 entries from architects worldwide. The installation of a massive platform and the use of 67-metre-high geometric shells in the roof structure of the complex began shaping the new opera house on the Bennelong Point site, named after an ancient Australian Aboriginal. Terraces surround the opera house and are leisure areas – gardens, picnic spots and walkways. The Sydney Opera House was completed after 14 years of construction despite an out-of-control budget and missed deadlines. It was opened on 20 October 1973 by Queen Elizabeth II. Since then, the Sydney Opera House has greatly influenced 20th-century architecture.
The Sydney Opera House is one of the world’s most popular arts and cultural centres. Annually, it offers nearly 2,000 performances and events. Great operatic artists, orchestras, cabarets, ballets, plays, concerts, lectures, composers and performers take to the stage in this superb venue. Since 2017, all operatic house stages have been fitted with new acoustics. The architecture of the building has become symbolic of Sydney and a universal Australian landmark, much in the same way as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris.