Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is a building for opera and other music in the Sydney. It is home to the Sydney Symphony. Since 2007 it is listed in the UNESCO – World Heritage List.

The plan for the Sydney Opera House on Sydney Harbour building was created in 1955. There was an international architectural competition for tenders. Jørn Utzon won the competition with this design. Utzon loved sailing. This building would symbolize his love for sailing because the roofs are not only similar shells, but also on the sails of a tall ship.
It was opened in 1973 by Queen Elizabeth II, 14 years after the construction began. The building contains an opera hall, and three other concert halls, restaurants and bars.
The construction had some problems, but eventually was finished anyway.
Since the opening of the Sydney Opera House, this building became the symbol of Sydney such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It was also nominated in the election of the seven modern wonders of the world.

The outside

The roof consists of 1,056,000 small tiles in white and gray tones, which are specially imported from Sweden. These tiles are laid in a certain pattern. Under the tiles there are ​​ribs held together with cables embedded in a kind of concrete lids. With the openings of the shells the ribs without tiles or concrete, but with glass over it.
At the entrance is made of the monumental staircase and the forecourt. Here are free outdoor movies and musical performances.

The inside

The opera house has over 1000 different locations. These are the main venues:

• The Concert Hall has 2,679 locations. This is where all cultural activity, such as performances of classical music, opera, pop concerts and fashion shows. The concert hall is the largest organ in the world, The Grand Organ, with over 10,000 pipes.
• The Opera Theatre has 1,547 seats. This is the base theater and are often great operas and ballets performed.
• Studio with 364 pitches.
• Exhibition space where you can walk around, there are no fixed seats.
• The rehearsal room where the players’ re all can practice, is also a recording studio where a whole symphony orchestra fits.

The theater and opera houses have walls and ceiling painted in black, so attention is focused on the stage. The Opera House also has six bars and four restaurants.