Masterpiece of 20th Century architecture

TRAVEL

By PANDITHA BANDARA
I WAS fortunate to be part of guided tour to inside of the Sydney Opera House. This article is to share my experience with The National readers.
The Sydney Opera House is a world-famous landmark and a symbol of Australia’s culture and identity. It is a stunning architectural achievement that displays the beauty and diversity of the arts.
However, how did it come to be? What is the history of the Sydney Opera House?
The story of the Sydney Opera House begins in the 1940s, when a group of influential people in Sydney’s music and arts scene started to lobby for a new venue that could host large-scale performances. They envisioned a modern and elegant building that would reflect the city’s status and aspirations.
In 1954, the New South Wales government agreed to fund the project, and launched an international design competition in 1955. The competition attracted 233 entries from 32 countries, but one of them stood out from the rest. It was the design of Jørn Utzon, a young and unknown architect from Denmark.
Utzon’s design was bold and innovative. It consisted of a series of interlocking shells that formed the roof of the building, supported by a massive podium that contained the entrance and the facilities. The shells were inspired by the shape of sails, and were meant to harmoniSe with the surrounding water and sky. The design was praised for its originality and elegance, and Utzon was declared the winner in 1957.
However, Utzon’s vision was not easy to realise. He faced many technical and financial difficulties, as well as political and public opposition. His design was complex and unprecedented, and required new methods of engineering and construction. He also had conflicts with the government over the budget, the schedule, and the details of the project. He was constantly under pressure and criticism, and eventually resigned in 1966, before the building was completed.

The construction of the Sydney Opera House continued without Utzon, under the supervision of a team of Australian architects. They made some changes to Utzon’s original design, especially in the interiors of the performance venues. The building was finally finished in 1973, after 16 years of work and at a cost of $102 million. It was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on Oct 20, 1973, with a grand ceremony that included fireworks, speeches, and performances. Since that time, it has been home to some the world’s greatest artists and performers.
The first person who performed at Sydney Opera House was the American singer Paul Robeson. In 1960, he sang Ol’Man River’ to the construction workers during lunchtime.
The first public concert in the Concert House took place on Sept 29, 1973. In 1986, Pope John Paul II gave a speech in the Concert Hall.
In 1990, Nelson Mandela addressed a crowd of 40,000 people gathered at the Monumental Steps.
The Sydney Opera House soon became a popular and successful attraction, hosting a variety of events and attracting millions of visitors every year. It also became a source of pride and admiration for Australians, who recognised its artistic and cultural significance.
In 1999, Utzon was awarded the Pritzker Prize, the highest honour in architecture, for his design of the Sydney Opera House. In 2003, he was invited to return to the project as a consultant, and he helped to oversee some renovations and improvements.
In 2007, the Sydney Opera House was inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage lst, as a masterpiece of human creative genius. Unesco describes it as a ‘masterpiece of 20th Century architecture’.
The Sydney Opera House is more than just a building. It is a living and breathing organism that expresses the spirit and identity of Australia. It is a place where people can enjoy and celebrate the arts, as well as learn about its history and heritage. It is a legacy that will inspire generations to come.
I have always wanted to visit the Sydney Opera House, one of the most iconic landmarks in Australia and the world. So when I finally got the chance to travel there last month, I was overjoyed and eager to explore this architectural masterpiece.
Here, I share my experience of visiting both the inside and outside of the Sydney Opera House, and why I think it is a must-see attraction for anyone who loves culture, history and beauty.
The Sydney Opera House is located on Bennelong Point, a peninsula that juts out into Sydney Harbour. It is surrounded by water on three sides, and offers stunning views of the harbour bridge, the city skyline and the botanical gardens.
The opera house itself is composed of several interlocking shells that form its distinctive roof, which resembles a series of sails or waves. The shells are covered with over a million white tiles that reflect the sunlight and create a dazzling contrast with the blue sky and water.
The opera house is not just a single venue, but a complex of several halls and spaces that host a variety of events and performances. The largest and most famous hall is the Concert Hall, which seats over 2,600 people and has one of the largest organs in the world, with over 10,000 pipes. The Concert Hall is where you can enjoy classical music, opera, symphony and choir concerts, as well as some pop and rock shows. The acoustics are superb, and the atmosphere is majestic.
Another hall that I visited was the Joan Sutherland Theatre, named after the Australian soprano who was one of the opera house’s most celebrated performers. The theatre seats over 1,500 people and has a proscenium arch stage that can accommodate large-scale operas, ballets and musicals.
The theatre also has a unique feature: A set of rings that can be lowered or raised to change the shape and size of the stage. The rings can also be used to create different lighting effects and moods.
One of the most interesting parts of my visit was the guided tour that took me behind the scenes of the opera house. The tour lasted about an hour and gave me a glimpse of how the opera house operates and what goes on backstage. I learned about the history and design of the building, saw some of the costumes and props used in various productions, and even got to stand on one of the stages. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining, and answered all my questions.
The outside of the opera house is equally impressive as the inside. I spent some time walking around the building and admiring its shape and structure from different angles. I also enjoyed sitting on the steps that lead up to the entrance and watching the people and boats passing by.
The opera house is especially beautiful at night, when it is illuminated by colourful lights that change according to the season or occasion.
The Sydney Opera House is more than just a building; it is a symbol of Australia’s culture, identity and creativity. It is a place where you can experience some of the best performances in the world, or simply marvel at its beauty and innovation.
It is a place that inspires awe and wonder, and makes you appreciate the power and beauty of art. It is a place that I will never forget.

• Panditha Bandara is a senior lecturer at the UPNG School of Business and Public Policy.