Sydney Opera House Opens After a Difficult Construction
Queen Elizabeth II formally opened Sydney Opera House on October 20, 1973.
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The Official Opening
Queen Elizabeth II formally opened Sydney Opera House on October 20, 1973. The ceremony celebrated a building whose construction had begun in 1959.
A Long Project
The completed complex followed years of delay and escalating expense. Its opening was the outcome of a demanding architectural and engineering process, not a straightforward delivery on the original timetable.
Performances Before the Ceremony
Public performances had already taken place in September. October 20 is the official opening date, which should not be confused with the first time audiences entered for a performance.
A Place With an Earlier History
The building stands at Tubowgule on Gadigal land. Its architectural story belongs within a much longer history of the site.
From Construction to Use
The ceremony included music and fireworks, but the enduring change was a functioning cultural institution. Its famous exterior shelters multiple spaces rather than a single enormous auditorium.
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