March 24 - Sydney Opera House

This post is in response to some comments I received about my March 5 post about the Sydney Harbour, including a picture of Sydney Opera House.  The Opera House is known worldwide.  In the 1950’s, an international competition was launched to select a design for the proposed performing arts centre on Sydney Harbour.  Danish born architect, Jorn Ulzon, took the prize of five thousand pounds. Although this was the agreed upon prize money, it was probably a little short considering the subsequent media coverage and popularity of this icon on Sydney Harbour.  Before the Opera House, the end of Bennelong Point housed a tram depot.  Trams no longer run in the city.

The Opera House had lots of growing pains during the construction years before it was finally officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II.   Today the Opera House thrives as a fine arts centre, with two main concert halls and several smaller theatres. 

I am attaching two more pictures of the Opera House with this post.   The first shows me standing on the steps leading to the main entrance doors.  The second picture was taken from a ferry leaving Circular Quay.  It is a side view of the Opera House, showing the shape of the shells.

Sue at the steps of the Sydney Opera House

 

Sydney Opera House