One of the most well-known UNESCO World Heritage Sites and tourism attractions in the entire world is the Sydney Opera House. In actuality, a vacation to Sydney wouldn't be complete without stopping by this venerable performing arts venue. This Australian icon, which is situated near the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Royal Botanic Garden, offers something to offer tourists of all ages, making it a memorable event. These fascinating details will give you a taste of the tradition and history of the renowned Sydney Opera House.
1 - It holds countless events.
Every year, the Opera House presents 3000 events and welcomes 200,000 visitors for guided tours. A total of approximately 2 million people also attend the concerts.
2 - The British Queen inaugurated the Opera House.
One of the most recognizable and well-known structures in the entire globe is the Sydney Opera House. It took 14 years from the start of construction in March 1959 until Queen Elizabeth II officially opened it in 1973. Fireworks and Beethoven's 9th Symphony were performed during the opening ceremony.
3 - The roof was made to resemble a fruit.
Its roof was fashioned after an orange by Mr. Utzon. Shells is the name of the house's roof. The architecture of this part of the building was very challenging. Mr. Utzon predicted that the Opera House's 14 individual shells would come together to form a sphere. When Jorn Utzon created the building's features and colors, he was further influenced by nature. He was inspired by things like bird wings, clouds, shells, walnuts, and palm trees. He was inspired by nature as he balanced functionality and aesthetics in the design.
4 - There are just two days a year when the Sydney Opera House remains closed.
The Sydney Opera House's official website states that it is accessible to the general public 363 days out of the year and is always available to tourists. The only times the Sydney Opera House is closed for the entire day are on Christmas Day and Good Friday. Since its initial opening in 1973, the Sydney Opera House has maintained this schedule, allowing tourists to stop by whenever it is most convenient for them and take a tour of the building. However, the Sydney Opera House would normally stay closed to the general public for safety concerns during any significant natural catastrophes and severe weather.
5 - The design was selected for a competition.
In a 1956 contest to build the Sydney Opera House, Jørn Utzon from Denmark was declared the winner by the panel of judges. Utzon ultimately prevailed over 232 other competitors due to a fourth judge, renowned American architect Eero Saarinen, who gave it an excellent rating. Utzon received 5,000 pounds for his creations.
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At a particular temperature and humidity combination, musical instruments are considered to perform at their peak. The Sydney Opera House's cooling system is distinctive and benefits from its location. To move air into the cooling system, saltwater directly from the harbor is used. 35 kilometers of pipes that supply the building's cooling and heating with cold water are in use. The temperature in the Concert Hall must be 22.5 degrees whenever the Sydney Symphony Orchestra is performing to ensure that instruments stay in tune. Music instruments require a specific range of temperature and humidity.
7 - Bright lights are used to brighten the Sydney Opera House every night.
As soon as dusk falls, the Sydney Opera House lights its sails with tens of thousands of colorful lights that are arranged into forms and images. The subject of its illumination and the prominent imagery it displays change according to the season.
8 - The Opera House hosted its first unauthorized performance in 1960.
The Sydney Opera House hosted its inaugural musical event in 1960. Paul Robeson was the first person to entertain the construction workers as they ate lunch by climbing the building's scaffolding. On September 28, 1973, the Opera Theatre hosted a performance of Sergei Prokofiev's War and Peace following a number of test performances. The Sydney Opera House's inaugural public performance took place here.
9 - The Sydney Opera House was built with the help of around 10,000 construction workers.
Almost 10,000 construction workers were engaged to complete the Sydney Opera House's plans over the course of four years beginning in 1959. The Sydney Opera House's design, however, proved to be more challenging to execute than anticipated, which caused a years-long delay in the construction timeline. A total of 16 construction workers are reported to have perished throughout the project's construction up until its completion in 1973 as a result of unintentional falls at work.
10 - Everyone is welcome to tour the Sydney Opera House for free.
Here's one more amusing fact that everyone can enjoy. Visitors are welcome to wander around the Sydney Opera House's grounds for as long as they like and are not charged to do so. Throughout the day, guests can explore the foyers of the Sydney Opera House and the box office, as well as the Sydney Opera House. Since it is free to enter the Sydney Opera House grounds, many people visit the site to take pictures, learn about the history, and enjoy a day of culture.