Perhaps Sydney's most wonderful place is its Opera House. World renowned for its importance as a place of performing arts, Opera House's modern architecture and roofing are few among many that attract visitors to it everyday. Opera House which is located at the Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour, is a creation by the Danish architect Jørn Utzon for which he received the Pritzker Prize; the highest honour awarded for an architect. On 20th October, 1973 this master piece was open for public and today it is a world heritage site. The structure rises up to a height of 65m, it is 183m long, 120m wide and it covers an area of 4.4 acres.
Sydney Opera House falls into the design category Expressionist design and it depicts qualities of late modern architecture. What amazes us most it the distinct roofing with sets of interlocking vaulted shells upon a vast terraced platform and surrounded by terrace areas that function as pedestrian concourses. Towards the western end of the complex is the Concert Hall and in vice versa is the Opera Theatre. There are also the Drama Theatre, the Playhouse, and The Studio which are actually found beneath the Concert Hall. Towards the western part of the Monumental Steps is the Bennelong Restaurant.
The House has an immense capacity. Its Concert Hall has 2679 seats and is home for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Another importance we find here is the Sydney Opera House Grand Organ which can be recognized as the world's largest mechanical tracker action organ. On the other hand, the Opera Theatre has 1507 seats and houses the Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet. The Drama Theatre has 544 seats, the Playhouse has an end stage with 398 seats and the Studio has a max. capacity of 400. There is also a small multipurpose room named the Utzon Room which can accommodate up to 210. The Forecourt is used as a open air performing space. So in total it has about 5738 seats in the place.
The first ever piano recital was by Romola Costantino in the Concert Hall in 1973. Sergei Prokofiev's War and Peace is the first Opera in the theatre. Sydney Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Charles Mackerras performed the first public concert of the Opera House on 28th September, 1973.
Travellers' Guide
If you are planning to visit the Sydney Opera House, there are various tours arranged by the Opera House. Each tour will last about one hour, you can select the language guide you want from English, German, French, Japanese etc. The package touring may include dining experiences and accommodation. For more details on tour plans you can visit the official website.
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