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Sydney Opera House

On This Day

10 Jan 1958 - first Sydney Opera House lottery

On this day 10 January 1958 the first Opera House lottery was drawn

Government Printing Office 2 - 33847 - Opera House - last shell being positioned [Public Works Department; Sydney Opera House (N.S.W.); building construction; cranes (machines)] [GPO original locations or series - St74766] [23/01/1967]
On This Day

2 Mar 1959 - Sydney Opera House construction began

On this Day work officially began on Stage 1 of the Sydney Opera House

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On This Day

20 Oct 1973 - Sydney Opera House officially opened

On this day 20 October 1973 the Sydney Opera House was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II

A Sepik River mei mask

An eye-catching object in the People’s House: Sydney Opera House at 50 exhibition reveals an unexpected story of the opening ceremonies, of performance, and of international diplomacy

Kim Tao with her snow globe collection at the Caroline Simpson Library

An Opera House in every home

Instantly recognisable, the Opera House has been replicated across a vast array of forms and materials, from kitsch souvenirs and homewares to artworks and designer accessories

Sydney Opera House Barbie doll

An icon wearing an icon: Sydney Opera House Barbie

Stepping away from her signature pink, Barbie honours the Sydney Opera House with more subtle tones in her gown, that reflect the Opera House and its Harbourside location

A mannequin dressed in an elaborate Renaissance-style stage costume stands in a large Perspex-fronted display case . On the rear wall a small screen is showing a scene from the opera Lucrezia Borgia where Dame Joan Sutherland is wearing the same costume.

Dressing Joan Sutherland

One of the most spectacular costumes on display in the exhibition The People’s House: Sydney Opera House at 50 is an extraordinary Renaissance dress designed by Kristian Fredrikson and worn by Dame Joan Sutherland in the part of the notorious Lucrezia Borgia

Fort Macquarie, a man stand at boats moored in front of the building

Fort Macquarie, Bennelong Point

Fort Macquarie was constructed between 1817-1821 and demolished in 1901. The Tram Depot was opened in 1902 and pulled down in 1958 to make way for the building of the Sydney Opera House

Todd Duncan (baritone) with Harold Blair, c.1950s
First Nations

Harold Blair, trailblazer

Wulli Wulli tenor Harold Blair AM was Australia’s first professionally trained Aboriginal opera singer