Travel With Us to the Sydney Opera House
“Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” - Miriam Beard
Source: Interesting Engineering
In 1956, more than 200 designs were submitted for the new Opera House in Sydney, Australia. One year later, the futuristic and unique design by Jørn Utzon was chosen as the winner. Today, Jørn's concept is one of the world's most famous buildings, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a premier performing arts venue. The foundation of Utzon's work was built on his studies of history and nature, and his desire to interlink the two. He famously found inspiration for this design in the monumental Mayan and Aztec architecture that he studied during a trip to Central America; even the concrete podium of the Opera House was based on temples he had seen in Mexico. Had Jørn never traveled to Central America to study the architecture, what can we imagine the Sydney Opera House would look like today?
Are you familiar with the Sydney Opera House?
The first person that ever performed inside the house's halls was Paul Robeson, in 1960. Notably, this is before the construction of the project was ever completed. The singer visited the construction workers during lunch, climbed the scaffolding and sang Ol' Man River to them.
The temperatures inside of the house have to stay at precisely 72.5 degrees Fahrenheit in order to ensure that the instruments for the orchestra stay perfectly in tune.
Construction was originally forecast to take just 4 years. It soon became clear that that wouldn't be possible. It ended up taking 14 years to complete.
The original estimate to build Sydney Opera House was $7 million. The final cost was $102 million.
To avoid disturbances during the performances, security does not allow those who arrive late to a show to enter the theatre while the performance is ongoing. Instead, patrons may sit in a designated area where they can watch the ongoing performance on a screen in the foyer.
This Australian landmark is open 363 days a year to the public and is open 24 hours a day to visitors. The only days that the Sydney Opera House is closed for the day is during the 25th of December and on Good Friday.
Visitors may enter the premises for free and explore the location for as long as they wish to.
A net was installed above the orchestra pit in the Opera Theatre during the 1980s following an opera (Boris Godunov) featuring live chickens when one of the birds walked off the stage and landed on top of a cellist.
Prince during his 2016 concert. Source: Sydney Opera House
Travel with us to the Sydney Opera House in May 2022 during our 5 - week program. This all-inclusive adventure includes one week in Denver, Colorado to learn everything you need to know before hitting the road, and four weeks in your tour country venturing, learning, teaching, tasting, loving, growing, and finding out more about yourself. Our 5-week programs are available for $2,500. Find out more, or sign up for the country of your choice, here.
Light shows are displayed on the sails throughout the year. Source: Sydney Opera House
Source: Britannica