Sydney Opera House: The story of an icon in photos

The Sydney Opera House, one of the most recognizable buildings from the 20th centuries, has come to represent contemporary Australia.

Its striking white flags revolutionized engineering and architecture on a global scale.

Additionally, historians have hailed the building as a” visionary exercise in nation-building by an immature, largely immigrant country looking to establish itself.”

The Opera House has hosted people like Bob Dylan, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nelson Mandela. It is a effectiveness venue that has been on the World Heritage List and is used by world leaders to meet.

Here is a look back at its existence as it marks its 50th day.

The New South Wales government’s 1956 global contest to create a national efficiency place on Bennelong Point that had establish Sydney was the inspiration for The Opera House. The irreverent and largely unknown young Danish designer Jorn Utzon was the unexpected winner of the 233 entries.

In 1959, construction on the Opera House began with over 10,000 employees. Instead of taking four years as planned, the tower ended up taking fourteen. The structure’s initial budget was A$ 7m(£ 3.6m,$ 4.4m ), but the final cost was closer to A$ 102m.

On October 20, 1973, Queen Elizabeth II formally opened the Sydney Opera House, complete with lights and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 signaled the start of the event.

Dalgerie was the first musical to become performed there in July 1973. It was written by American artist James Penberthy and is based on the love story from the well-known American book Keep Him My Country.

Finnish music icon ABBA visited the large white sails in 1977, to a flurry of American fans.

Nelson Mandela was honored by 40, 000 Australians on the steps of the Opera House in 1990 after escaping from 27 years in prison for his fight against South Africa’s apartheid government.

The 2004 Athens Olympic torch relay was started by Cathy Freeman, the second Indian athlete to take home an individual gold decoration. Later, in 2020, to commemorate the anniversary of her ancient success, the picture of the happy Kuku Yalanji woman— who produced one of Australia’s most remarkable having moments— was projected on its sails.

The Opera House has just served as the focal point of Vivid Sydney, an annual event of light, music, and artistic appearance. It features performances by local and international players as well as outside engaging light installations.

Indian events and meetings took place at Bennelong Point, the site of the Opera House, for thousands of years. Whispers, a brand-new artwork assembly by Quandamooka designer Megan Cope, honors the site’s long history.