Photograph: Hamilton Lund
  • Theatre
  • Sydney

Sydney Opera House

One of the most photographed and famous (if controversial) performing arts venues in the world

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Time Out says

This Australian icon sits on Bennelong Point and is Sydney’s premiere venue for classical and contemporary music, opera, theatre and dance. As peaceful as it looks now, the House had a controversial beginning: while it was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, by the time the building was completed in 1973 its architect had been fired.

Many have pondered the building’s design over the years, comparing it variously to shells, waves and even a family of swans. Utzon never revealed his vision, only that it involved spheres.

The Opera House offers different tours that allow you to get intimate with the building, including some hosted in different languages and full ‘experience' packages. If you don't feel like shelling out, it's still free to sit on the steps for a quick lunch and walk by the water and gaze in marvel at those 1,056,000 pearly, self-cleaning Swedish tiles.

Where to eat and drink near Sydney Opera House

For the ultimate Opera House dining experience, book a pre-theatre dinner at Bennelong, or just pop in for a drink and a snack at the raw and cultured bar. Check out the Opera Kitchen, a harbourfront dining area that features a host of Sydney food identities including John Susman. Meander around to Bulletin Place for cocktails. Later in the evening kick the glamour up a notch at Hemmesphere and enjoy matched cigars and more cocktails into the morning.

Backstage tour

With access into areas normally reserved for stars and their minders, this tour will have you treading the boards of its illustrious stages and sneaking into the dressing rooms of the Opera and Drama Theatres, Playhouse and The Studio, while you are regaled with the secrets and stories that go on behind the curtain. Or perhaps you want to take on the conductor's baton in the Opera Theatre orchestra pit? Do note, though, that the Concert Hall is currently closed for renewal works to improve theatre machinery, acoustics and accessibility, so no peeking in there. 

Backstage tours run daily at 7am and are $175, including a hearty breakfast served in the Green Room (the Green Room is not open on Sun or public holidays). Flat, enclosed rubber soled shoes must be worn. For safety reasons children 12 years and under are not permitted. Bookings essential. There are also junior tours of the Opera House for kids.

Details

Address
Bennelong Point
Sydney
2000
Opening hours:
Box office: Mon-Sat 9am-8.30pm; Sun two hours prior to performance (in person only)

What’s on

The Music of John Williams in Concert

When you think of the top ten greatest movies of all time, chances are more than half of them feature music by revered film composer John Williams. This June, you can experience some of the best moments of William’s most illustrious scores, as performed by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. For decades, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra has performed film scores and soundtracks from the world’s greatest blockbusters, including complete Harry Potter™ Film in Concert Series and Lord of the Rings films. These are just some of the stellar compositions from composer John Williams that have earned him 25 Grammy awards, seven BAFTAs, five Oscars and four Golden Globes.  In these Sydney Symphony concerts, you’ll witness the magic of William’s biggest and most loved pieces live at the Sydney Opera House, including the theme songs from Jaws, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Schindler's List, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone™ in Concert. Sydney Philharmonia Choirs will join the Orchestra on stage for incredible performances of ‘Somewhere in My Memory’ from Home Alone, ‘Hymn to the Fallen’ from Saving Private Ryan, and ‘Double Trouble’ from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™. Self-described film score geeks and Art of the Score podcast co-hosts Andrew Pogson, Dan Golding and Nicholas Buc will be there on the night sharing insights and untold stories behind the composer and his works, with acclaimed conductor Nicholas Buc al

  • Classical and opera

An Evening with Dolly Alderton

If you know a young woman who's an avid reader, chances are her eyes will light up at the mention of best-selling author Dolly Alderton. The British writer skyrocketed to popularity with her debut memoir-turned-TV show, Everything I Know About Love – a quasi-bible for those navigating life in the fraught 20s age demographic.  For the very first time, Alderton is headed Down Under for a tour of talks, off the back of her latest New York Times best-selling novel Good Material. She's heading to Sydney Opera House for two nights in November (November 5 and November 6) – bringing along her latest stories for Sydneysiders to enjoy. Not only is she a beloved author, but Alderton originally gained recognition for her Sunday Times 'Dear Dolly' advice column – and she'll incorporate her favourite anecdotes from this within her live show, as well as her own insightful musings on various aspects of life. Audiences will have a chance to ask questions of their own, too, so get brainstorming.  After her Sydney shows, Alderton will also make appearances in Melbourne on November 14 and Perth on November 10. Tickets for her talk at Sydney Opera House start at $79, and they're going fast. You can snap yours up over here.   RECOMMENDED READS:While you're there, these are the best restaurants in Circular Quay& Juliet: Is it the feminist reclamation that we were promised?

  • Talks and discussions

Crowded House 2024

Crowded House – the legendary Aussie (or was it Kiwi??) rock band – played an epic "farewell" tour more than two decades ago (in 1996), to more than 150,000 people on the steps of the equally legendary Sydney Opera House. This December, they're returning to the Opera House for three very special shows. Iconic.The band of Aussie rockers formed all the way back in 1985, and after releasing their self-titled debut album to global success, they went on to release a further seven albums. Their most recent album – Gravity Stairs – was released today (Friday, May 31), and they’re celebrating the release with a huge tour around Australia and New Zealand.  The multi-platinum selling rock band will take to the stage at the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday, December 4, Thursday, December 5 and Saturday, December 7 2024. The tour kicks off in Wellington on Saturday, November 9, and wraps up in Brisbane after a bunch of stops around the country and across the ditch. Tickets start from $163.10, you can grab yours over here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, things to do and travel inspo, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: Want fun now? Here’s what’s on in Sydney this weekend Plus: These are the best live music venues in Sydney.

  • Rock and indie
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