Sydney Opera House

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Links to the catalogue in this guide

This guide is divided into sections. We have linked each section to records on that topic in the catalogue. We have also highlighted some record series in each section and linked them to our catalogue.

Keywords

Use keywords connected to the Sydney Opera House eg:

• Opera House and narrow your search by the focus of your interest, eg: Sydney Opera House shells, Sydney Opera House programs or Sydney Opera House plans
• Utzon
• Ove Arup
• Bennelong Point

You can tweak your results by using the filtering options on the right-hand side of the catalogue screen.

Agency

See records about the Sydney Opera House from the following key agencies:

1. AGY-3082 Department of Public Works
2. AGY-6401 Opera House Committee (1954-1957) Opera House Executive Committee (1957-1961)
3. AGY-984 Sydney Opera House Trust

• Some records are digitised and can be viewed in the catalogue.
• Original, uncopied records can be accessed in the State Archives Reading Room. From the search results order records to view in the State Archives Reading Room that are open to public access using the clipboard icon.
• Some records from the Department of Public Works and the Sydney Opera House Trust are subject to closed to public access directions (CPA). This information is shown in the catalogue. You will need permission in writing from the relevant agency to access these records.

First Nations

The Sydney Opera House stands on what was originally a tidal island on the east bank of Sydney Cove, known to the Gadigal people as Tubowgule. This area is part of a rich cultural landscape where Aboriginal people have gathered on Country for thousands of years.

The British, arriving in 1788 used this area to confine cattle and horses, renaming it Cattle Point. Colonists crushed middens (shells and animal bones discarded by Aboriginal people) from the area and mixed the fragments with water to use in building material. From this use the promontory became known as Limeburners’ Point.

Performance by Bennelong

The first known concert was held on this point in March 1791 when Woollarawarre Bennelong, a senior man of the Wangal clan of the Eora people, provided an evening of entertainment for the Governor and his party. The current name of Bennelong Point honours Bennelong.

Fort Macquarie

In 1817 the colonial Government commenced building Fort Macquarie. This was designed by Francis Greenway and completed in 1821. As part of this work the tidal area between the island and the mainland was filled with rocks, forming the point we know today.

Fort Macquarie was demolished in 1901 to make way for Fort Macquarie Tram Depot, a terminus and depot for Sydney’s tram network. The design of this building, with castellated ramparts acknowledged the previous fort.

Site for an Opera House

Pressure to build a suitable concert facility in Sydney grew in the 1940’s with the arrival of English composer Eugene Goossens, the conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. In 1954 Premier JJ Cahill announced a committee to examine potential sites and plans for an Opera House. The Committee considered 14 possible sites including Fort Macquarie.

Jørn Utzon

An International Competition for the design of a National Opera House at Bennelong Point was held in 1956. Danish architect Mr Jørn Utzon’s entry was selected as the winning design. Utzon’s design was for a complex with two theatres side by side on a large podium. This was covered by interlocking concrete shells, acting as both wall and roof. A third smaller shell set apart from the others was to cover the restaurant.

The Sydney Opera House Act 1960 ratified and validated the engagement of Jørn Utzon as architect, and all contracts, agreements and undertakings entered into prior to the Act by the NSW Government, NSW Premier or the Sydney Opera House Executive Committee. Under this Act the Minister for Public Works was empowered as the constructing authority from 1 January 1957.

The Sydney Opera House Trust was constituted under the Sydney Opera Trust Act, 1961. The Trust still operates and maintains the Opera House.

Construction

Ove Arup and Partners were engaged by Jørn Utzon in London. They were the only consultants who were involved in all stages of the Opera House construction.

The construction of the Opera House was at times difficult and controversial. After the election of a new Liberal government in 1965, control over payments for the Opera House project was transferred from the Opera House Committee to the Minster of Public Works William Davis Hughes. Conflict between the Minister and Mr Utzon escalated as Davis Hughes attempted to rein in the costs of the project. On 28 February 1966 Jørn Utzon resigned and left Sydney in April of that year.

The Government Architect, together with Hall Todd and Littlemore, constituted the panel of architects for Stage III of the Opera House.

Official opening

The Opera House was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 20 October 1973.

World heritage listing

On 28 June 2007 the Sydney Opera House was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List under the World Heritage Convention. It was the youngest cultural site to ever be included on the World Heritage List and one of only two cultural sites to be listed during the lifetime of its architect, Jørn Utzon (1918-2008).

Chronology of events

1947

Eugene Goossens, conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra calls for "a musical centre housing a big hall for a symphony orchestra, a small hall for chamber music and a fine home for an opera company".

1955

13 Sep
The Premier, J.J. Cahill, announces that the Government of NSW will hold an international competition for the design of "an opera house" at Bennelong Point. It is to be suitable for many kinds of performing arts, with two halls, one to seat between 3000-3500 people, and the other to seat 1200. There is also to be a restaurant and two public rooms for meetings.

1957

29 Jan
Out of 233 entries from 32 countries, Jørn Utzon wins first prize.

Jul
Jørn Utzon visits Sydney to discuss the proposed building.

1958

Aug
Demolition of the Bennelong Point Tram Depot commences.

1959

2 Mar
Work begins on the foundations. The work on Stage I — the building of the upper podium — is to be carried out by Civil and Civic P/L.

19 Oct
Premier J.J. Cahill dies in office.

1963

Mar
Stage I completed.

Apr
Stage II commences — Construction of the shell roofs and some subsidiary work is carried out by MR Hornibook (NSW) P/L.

1965

Newly elected Premier, Robert Askin transfers power over payments from the Opera House Committee to the Minister of Public Works, Davis Hughes.

1966

28 Feb
Jørn Utzon resigns.

19 Apr
Replacements for Jørn Utzon announced a panel consisting of: E.H. Farmer, Government Architect Peter Hall, Design Architect D.S. Littlemore, in charge of supervision, and Lionel Todd, in charge of contract documents

28 Apr
Jørn Utzon leaves Sydney.

17 May
The Government pays Utzon's representatives $160,000 in return for 130 architectural drawings for Stage III.

12 Dec
Hall, Todd and Littlemore submit "Review of Program" and suggest major changes to the use of halls.

1967

Mar
Stage II completed.

1972

28 Feb
The Premier, Sir Robert Askin, heads the Sydney Opera House Official Opening Committee.

1972

17 Dec
First test concert in Concert Hall with Sydney Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Bernard Heinze.

1973

Responsibility for the Opera House is given to the Sydney Opera Trust and the Minister of Cultural Activities, George Freudenstein.

29 Sep
First public concert in Concert Hall with Birgit Nilsson singing Wagner with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra under Charles Mackerras.

20 Oct
Official opening by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

1974

May
The final cost of the Opera House is $102 million (excluding cost for the organ and car park.)

1975

31 May
Architects' Certificate of Completion.

1979

30 May
Organ finished.

1993

17 Mar
A car park for 1,100 cars is built under the Royal Botanic Gardens by Enacom in association with the Department of Public Works. The Car park is opened by the Premier of NSW, Mr John Fahey.

1997

28 Mar
The Premier and Minister for the Arts, Mr Bob Carr, announced that in an endeavour to reflect the Government's commitment to open and accountable administration, all the construction records of the Opera House, irrespective of their age, were to be open to the public.

2007

28 Jun
Sydney Opera House was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List under the World Heritage Convention.

Acknowledgments

Dawn Troy, Sydney Opera House — Media Briefing Material, 25 March 1997

The Australian Encyclopaedia, Grolier Society of Australia, 1983.

Some records in this Guide are subject to a Closed to Public Access Directions. Please see series and item descriptions in the catalogue for detail.

Sydney Opera House website: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/our-story

Information about holders of material from the Dennis Wolanski Library of the Performing Arts which closed in 1997: Sydney Opera House website: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/wolanski-collection

The Opera House Project: http://theoperahouseproject.com/#!/

UNSW Arts, Design and Architecture: The Australian contribution of making the Sydney Opera House: https://www.unsw.edu.au/arts-design-architecture/our-schools/built-environment/our-research/clusters-groups/history-theory-built-environment/research-programs-projects/the-australian-contribution-of-making-the-sydney-opera-house

UNSW Arts, Design and Architecture: Beyond the Spherical Solution: The Australian contribution in making the Sydney Opera House – The Casting Procedure, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkLDBMUFGWQ