Welcome to the second episode of “Great Constructions Around the World.” Today, we’ll talk about the Sydney Opera House.
Inaugurated in 1957, the Sydney Opera House is one of Australia’s most visited landmarks, attracting approximately one million people who attend performances held there almost daily.
Located in Sydney Harbour, the Opera House was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007 and is now a highly respected national cultural center. It hosts concerts and performances in various venues, including music halls, a recording studio, an opera theater, a concert hall, foyers, theaters, a library, a cinema, an exhibition space, and restaurants. Since opening, it has welcomed some of the most iconic artists in the world.
ARTISTS WHO HAVE PERFORMED THERE:
- Sydney Symphony Orchestra
- Luciano Pavarotti
- Prince
- Toni Collette
- The Australian Ballet
- Yoko Ono
- Geoffrey Rush
- Sir Ian McKellen
CONSTRUCTION & STYLE
Construction began in 1957, with a final cost of US$102 million over 16 years. The building was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon. With a modern and expressionist style, it is known for its distinctive white sail-like roof design.
The white ceramic surfaces were developed in collaboration with Höganäs in Sweden—one of the finest ceramic manufacturers in the world—drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese ceramics. The glass wall provides stunning views of the harbor and was built using a lightweight steel structure inspired by bird wings. Finally, the massive red granite platform was inspired by Sydney’s sandstone harbor cliffs.
At night, the building is entirely lit in white, and on special occasions, it receives colorful, celebratory lighting.
🎥 Watch the video
🌈 Vivid LIVE – Annual Light Festival
THE ROOF
The roof was one of the biggest challenges and took four years to complete. The sail-like shells are covered with over 1 million tiles in two different shades: glossy white and matte cream. The entire structure is supported by 588 concrete pillars that extend up to 25 meters below sea level.
📲 See the Sydney Opera House video on our Instagram.
