Sydney Opera House

Related subjects: Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay and The Rocks, Darling Harbour, Transport in Sydney

Related subjects: Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay and The Rocks, Darling Harbour, Transport in Sydney

Sydney Opera House must be one of the most recognisable images of the modern world - up there with the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building - and one of the most photographed. The Sydney Opera House has become, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney's best-known landmark and international symbol.

The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jorn Utzon, who, in 2003, received the Pritzker Prize, architecture's highest honour. The Sydney Opera House was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 28 June 2007. It is one of the 20th century's most distinctive buildings and one of the most famous performing arts centres in the world.

The Sydney Opera House is situated on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour, close to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It sits at the northeastern tip of the Sydney central business district (the CBD), surrounded on three sides by the harbour (Sydney Cove and Farm Cove) and neighboured by the Royal Botanic Gardens. The base for the building was started in 1959 - years before the designs were finished. It took four years to design by Danish architect Jorn Utzon and by 1962 the designs were finalized and construction began. In total it took 14 years to build and was officially opened on the 20th of October 1973 by Queen Elizabeth II. The Sydney Opera House cost some $160 million to build and was paid for by the public who bought $10 tickets in a series of lotteries with a first prize of $1 million. Utzon became involved in a massive political row with the government and left before the building was finished.

The Sydney Opera House is nonetheless a fascinating building and heart of the city's cultural scene. It opened with a concert hall, an opera theatre, a drama theatre and a recital hall, as well as restaurants and bars. A fifth theatre was added within the structure in 1998. The building also houses a recording studio, cafes, restaurants and bars and retail outlets. Guided tours are available to the public, including a frequent tour of the front-of-house spaces, and a daily backstage tour which takes visitors backstage to see areas normally reserved for performers and crew members.

Planning to photograph these locations yourself? Whether you're a serious photographer or just visiting with a camera in hand and have a short time in the city, check out my 12 Best Photography Spots for Classical Sydney Skyline Guide and 10 Sydney's Best Sunrise Photography Locations Guide for the best times, tips, and spots to shoot. The guide covers the best viewpoints, lighting conditions, and shooting tips to help you make the most of your time.

I'm Ilya Genkin - an internationally recognised Australian landscape and fine art photographer based in Sydney. My passion for capturing the beauty of nature and our world translates into striking photographic prints that bring life, emotion, and inspiration to any space. From tranquil seascapes to dramatic mountainscapes, each image is a reflection of my vision and dedication to the art of photography.

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Explore my extensive collection of fine art prints - crafted with the highest-quality materials to suit every style and budget. Whether you're looking for a luxurious, ready-to-hang piece or a beautifully printed work to frame yourself, each photograph is available in several premium formats: Gallery-quality Fine Art Paper Prints - ready for framing, and Professional Canvas Prints - classic and timeless texture.

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