Australia’s iconic Sydney Opera House (SOH) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this weekend (Oct. 21-22). Following a month-long celebration of special events, the iconic 22-storey structure overlooking Sydney Harbour is embarking on a “decade of renewal,” with extensive plans and ambitious global goals set for the future, spanning restoration, sustainability, accessibility, environmental, Indigenous heritage, economic, and educational sectors.

Considered one of the world’s most distinctive buildings and a masterpiece of 20th architecture – and a UNESCO world heritage site – SOH executives state “(We) believe that art and culture is a catalyst to drive positive change. As a global icon, we have an important role to play when it comes to building a better, more sustainable future for all. Together, we have the power to make a difference.”

To that end, in 2019 the Opera House committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which included introducing Reconciliation, Accessibility and Environment community action plans, later building on the commitment with a Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Strategy and Heritage action plan.

“A to-do list for the world, the Global Goals address the world’s most pressing issues, including climate action, equal access and social justice,” says the SOH, adding, “While we reflect on some of the progress we have made at the Opera House to drive positive change here, we know that there is still a lot more to do, so as we celebrate our 50th anniversary we are continuing to do all that we can to inspire positive change.”

That includes the goal to become climate positive this year.

Fifty years ago, visionary Opera House architect Jørn Utzon embedded sustainability principles such as an innovative seawater cooling system planning for a 250-year lifespan. The SOH achieved a 6 Star Green Star Performance rating from the Green Building Council Australia, and Carbon Neutral certification in 2018 under Climate Active – five years ahead of schedule.

Here are 15 other bits of SOH trivia:
1. Sydney Opera House sits on Bennelong Point. Bennelong Point was named after Woollarawarre Bennelong, a senior Eora man at the time of the arrival of British colonisers in Australia in 1788.

2. The original cost estimate to build Sydney Opera House was $7 million. The final cost was $102 million and it was largely paid for by a State Lottery.

3. 233 designs were submitted for the Opera House international design competition held in 1956. Jørn Utzon from Denmark was announced the winner, receiving ₤5000 for his design.

4. Construction was expected to take four years. It took 14 years. Work commenced in 1959 and involved 10,000 construction workers.

5. Paul Robeson was the first person to perform at Sydney Opera House. In 1960, he climbed the scaffolding and sang “Ol’ Man River” to the construction workers as they ate lunch.

6. Sydney Opera House was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2007.

7. There are more than 1 million roof tiles covering approximately 1.62 hectares sitting over the structure. They were made in Sweden.

8. Seven A380s could sit wing-to-wing on the site and if all 14 of the Opera House’s giant stylized, sail-shaped shells were combined it would create a solid sphere.

9. Sydney Opera House was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on Oct. 20, 1973. She visited four times, most recently in 2006.

10. When the Sydney Symphony Orchestra is on stage in the Concert Hall, the temperature must be 22.5 degrees C. to ensure the instruments stay in tune. Temperature and humidity are critical to musical instruments.

11. Arnold Schwarzenegger won his final Mr. Olympia body building title in 1980 in the Concert Hall.

12. A net was installed above the orchestra pit in the Joan Sutherland Theatre during the 1980s following an incident during the opera Boris Godunov. The opera featured live chickens and one bird walked off the stage and landed on top of a cellist.

13. More than 10.9 million people visit the Opera House every year.

14. Sydney Opera House is cooled using seawater taken directly from the harbour. The system circulates cold water from the harbour through 35 km. of pipes to power both the heating and air conditioning in the building.

15. Each year, Lunar New Year is celebrated at the Opera House with sails lit in red, Lunar Lanterns and Mandarin tours. In 2019, some 25,000 people took part in the celebrations.

Canadian connections

• Canadian singer and songwriter Bryan Adams performed at SOH, dedicating a record to the performance – Bryan Adams Live at the Sydney Opera House in 2013.

• Opera singers Joyce El-Khoury and Wallis Guinta both performed at SOH.

• Canadian visits to Australia are up to 70% pre-pandemic levels.

(Ed note: Be sure to see “Listening In” further on in the newsletter for a stunning video filmed in the Opera House).