Sydney Opera: Sails by the Sea
1973 AD
1973 1973
151.10E33.55S
ARC

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
	In 1956 Danish architect Jorn Utzon won a competition to design a new opera house in Sydney, Australia, on a choice sliver of land jutting into Sydney's harbor previously used as a streetcar depot.
	Utzon's design was a dramatic change from the past, incorporating 230-foot-high sail-like shells to focus and reflect the music from symphony and opera performances, and to fit in with the numerous sailboats plying the harbor.
	Utzon worked on the project from 1956 until 1966. Costs were initially estimated at $12 million, but after 17 years, the building ended up costing more than $100 million dollars. After working on the project for 10 years, Utzon resigned in disgust because of repeated construction difficulties, incessant delays and cost escalations.
	Despite these difficulties, the Opera House opened in 1973. Since then it has become an internationally recognized symbol of Australia and serves as the cultural focus for Sydney's opera, symphony, drama, and ballet. It is host to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and has two museums, a library and several art galleries.
	On Sunday afternoons, you can hear free performances on the outer walks of the complex and if you go there in January, you will find a month-long arts festival. The phone number for events at the Opera House is 01102-250-7111.