In 1956, the government of NSW, Australia, launched an international design competition for their new Opera House project. Danish architect Jørn Utzon was selected as the sole architect on the project - which originally called for two concert halls for symphonic and opera performances. Mid-century design superstar Eero Saarinen described Utzon's plan as "genius" and declared he could not endorse any other choice. As often happens with large building projects, the original program grew in scope and cost. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation felt that interest in opera was waning and orchestra concerts would bring in higher ratings, so the concert hall portion of the design was expanded, among other changes. The changes and associated escalating costs made tax payers weary and a change in government in 1966 caused Utzon to resign from the project. The Opera House was completed in 1973 and opened by Queen Elizabeth II. Jørn Utzon was not credited as architect of the project.
In 1999, Jørn Utzon was re-engaged as Sydney Opera House architect to develop a set of design principles to act as a guide for all future changes to the building. These principles reflect his original vision and help to ensure that the building’s architectural integrity is maintained.
In 2003 Utzon received the Pritzker Prize, international architecture's highest honour.
In 2007, the Opera House was named a World Heritage Site.
The Sydney Opera House has five performance venues within its walls.
The Concert Hall houses the worlds largest known mechanical action organ - it has over 10,000 pipes! - and took ten years to build from design through installation. The Concert Hall has a seating capacity of 2,672 seats (47 more than Boston's Symphony Hall)
The Opera Theatre - for performances of opera and dance - is a proscenium arch theater which holds 1,507 seats. The walls and ceiling are painted black and the floor is brushbox timber. The seats are made of white birch timber and are upholstered in red wool.
The Drama Theatre has a seating capacity is 544 in 19 rows. The auditorium has raked seating. The walls and ceiling are painted black and the floor is covered with blue carpet. The seats are made of white birch timber and are upholstered in tangerine woollen fabric.
The Playhouse is best suited to single-set productions and small musical and dramatic productions. It is acoustically excellent and a perfect venue for chamber music, film screenings and spoken word presentations. The maximum seating capacity is 398. The walls and ceiling are clad in white birch timber and the floor is covered with red carpet. The seats are made of white birch timber and are upholstered in dark purple woollen fabric.
The Studio is the venue for contemporary dance and performance. It is also suitable for cabaret, small theatrical productions and spoken word presentations. The maximum seating capacity ranges from 220 to 350, depending on venue configuration.
The Utzon Room was the first interior designed by architect Jørn Utzon, who was the original architect for Sydney Opera House. This dramatic new venue has Utzon’s signature features of natural timbers and finishes, and a specially designed 14-metre wide floor-to-ceiling, brightly coloured woollen tapestry – Utzon’s first decorative artwork. Unlike the other venues at Sydney Opera House, this space remained structurally intact after Utzon left the project in 1966. With its refurbishment it is the only true Utzon interior at Sydney Opera House.
In November of 2008, Jørn Utzon passed away at the age of 90, having never returned to Australia since he left the project in 1966. His subsequent work was done long distance with his son Jan, also an architect, and Sydney-based architect Richard Johnson.
Images and information courtesy of Sydney Opera House and Google Images.
