Sydney Opera House — The Opera (The Eighth Wonder)

Act 1

Scene 1: Parliament House 1955

The spirits of the Earth and Sky reveal that mankind is torn between the earth we know and the sky we've seen while, in Sydney, Australia, The Premier has decided, against the wishes of his cabinet, to build an opera house. He wants to find a great architect who will realise his vision.

Scene 2: Mexico 1956

On a pyramid in Mexico, an Aztec Warrior is sacrificed and The Architect is inspired to create a wonderful building.

Scene 3: The Conservatorium 1957

In the Conservatorium of Music, Madame Magda wants her talented young student, Alexandra Mason, to take a scholarship to Zürich but her boyfriend, Stephen Goldring, wants her to stay with him and wait for the new opera house. The Maestro wants them both to be part of the exciting times ahead.

Scene 4: Art Gallery 1957

At the Art Gallery, The Premier and The Chief Juror announce the winner of the competition to design the new building. Socialites, politicians, reporters, and art and music lovers work themselves into a frenzy of disapproval.

Scene 5: Denmark 1957

In a winter forest in Denmark, The Architect's Daughter brings him the news he has won and shares his excitement about living in a new world. On a summer beach in Sydney, Stephen captures Alex's heart in spite of her longing to be somewhere else. In the autumn of their years, Magda and the Maestro have a more realistic view of the world.

Scene 6: Construction Site 1958

The old buildings are being torn down at the site for the new opera house. The Premier warns The Engineer they must begin construction even though the plans for the building aren't complete.

Dedication Day 1959

The Premier assures the VIPs assembled for the dedication ceremony that the opera house is purely non-political, while The Architect tries to communicate his vision. Construction begins. As the workers drive deep into the earth, The Premier collapses in pain, leaving The Architect without his greatest ally.

Scene 7: Backyard 1962

In the backyard of the Mason's suburban house in Rockdale, Alexandra's family are celebrating the new year. Alex is now married to Stephen and is pregnant. Ken, her father, is complaining that the opera house will never be finished, sorely testing the good humour of Alex's godmothers, Jean and Olive, and her mother, Eileen. After all the sacrifices the family have made for Alex's singing career, Ken blames Stephen for her stalled career. Ken and Alex sing of their vanishing dreams.

Scene 8: Construction Site 1962

A thunderstorm breaks over the opera house construction site and work is halted. The Architect rejects yet another compromise solution for the roof construction from an exhausted Engineer. The Maestro warns The Architect that he must play the political game or be trampled on. The Architect's despair at his inability to solve the problem turns to joy when he finds an astonishingly simple solution.

Act 2

Scene 9: The Royal Yacht 1963

On the Royal Yacht Britannia, The Queen is hosting a reception. The Architect is at his most assured but The Politician promises The Maestro that if he wins government, The Architect won't get away with the delays and rising costs. The Queen's Aide de Camp introduces Alexandra to sing for the assembled guests with Stephen as her accompanist. Her song connects deeply with The Architect and he, as well as The Maestro, The Politician, Stephen, and Alexandra herself, feels the future is secure. But it's The Politician who seizes the moment knowing that his time has come.

Scene 10: Living Room 1965

Stephen and Alexandra argue over the change of government, the Opera House and Stephen's increasing role in Opera House politics as a representative of the Orchestra. With her opera career languishing, the argument reveals the precarious state of their marriage.

Scene 11: Flag Raising 1965

At the construction site The Workers celebrate the completion of the roof. The Architect tries to humiliate The Politician and falls out with The Engineer. Alexandra is found on the site deeply distressed and is comforted by The Architect.

Scene 12: State Office Block 1966

The Architect resigns from the project vowing never to return.

Scene 13: Opening night 1973

Alexandra has returned to make her debut in the completed opera house after establishing a brilliant international career. In her dressing room before the performance she shares her pride with her family and her bitterness over the treatment of The Architect with The Maestro.

Scene 14: The Feathered Serpent

As the Aztec Princess in the opera The Feathered Serpent, Alexandra sings of her lover's sacrifice and The Architect appears, unnoticed, a presence in dream, memory, song and the stone of the building itself. The spirits of Earth and Sky lead the company in the final chorus.

 

Sydney Opera House — The Opera will be performed on the steps of Sydney Opera House. 

Venue map (pdf)

Seating

At this event, the audience will sit on reserved seats on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt looking towards the sails of Sydney Opera House while the performance takes place on the steps.

As the seating will be arranged on the flat, access will be simple.

If you have particular access or mobility needs, please contact the Sydney Opera House on 02 9250 7111 or email infodesk@sydneyoperahouse.com.

View the seating map (pdf)

Headphones

At Sydney Opera House – The Opera, we'll supply our audience members with headphones and an FM receiver.

If you have a hearing aid or device, this can be attached to the receiver, provided that your device has a 3.5mm jack.

We’ll have a headphone support crew on the ground at each performance to audience members who require help.

 

Sydney Opera House — The Opera is an open-air and all-weather event

The venue, audience seating, and the stage are completely uncovered. The event is an all-weather experience and Opera Australia is committed to going ahead with a performance of Sydney Opera House — The Opera even in doubtful or unfavourable weather conditions. We want everyone to have a wonderful night and we understand that the experience can be affected by rain. Please come prepared so that you are as comfortable as possible, and ready to support the performers, who will carry on singing in the rain.

Bring warm and waterproof clothing

Sydney weather is full of surprises so please bring warm and waterproof clothing, just in case. Please note that although umbrellas can be brought to the venue, out of consideration for other members of the audience they cannot be used during the performance.

Ponchos

Ponchos will be available to purchase at the event.

Performance pauses and cancellations

We will only cancel a performance during electrical storms (within 10km radius) or during times of extremely high winds and/or rain. The decision to cancel a performance is not made until 7.30pm or later and a cancellation may be called during the performance.  So please plan to travel to the venue for a 7.30pm performance start time even in unfavourable weather conditions.

Auxiliary expenses including travel, accommodation or hospitality which you have arranged in conjunction with the performance are at your own risk and not refundable by Opera Australia.

See full terms and conditions

There are five pop-up bar and restaurant areas on the Forecourt of Sydney Opera House, exclusively for Sydney Opera House — The Opera. The venue will open at 5pm each evening.

The Premier's Bar

As the scrumptious smell of something delicious thrown on the barbie fills The Premier’s Bar, step back in time to Sunday dinner at Mum’s place, when life was simple and finding makeshift wickets for the backyard cricket game was the evening’s only worry. See the menu.

The Queen's Bar

A stylish little hole-in-the-wall, serving up thirst-quenching delights fit for a queen. See the menu.

The Engineer's Bar & The Maestro's Bar

Jolly good spots for jolly good chaps.  While away the hours on the Eastern Forecourt, enjoying berries from the sunshine coast and shrimp from Jervis Bay; delicious locally sourced produce for a menu full of local favourites. See the menu.

The Architect's VIP Bar

Ponder the wonders of the Sydney Opera House, an architect's dream, from the comforts of the venue's VIP space. Come take a seat, and enjoy a pre-performance or interval cocktail with Cintra Estate Australian-grown olives. Feeling like something more? You can order off The Maestro's Bar menu too. See the menu.

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Please don't bring a picnic. Only food and beverages purchased on site can be consumed within the venue.

"This is the sort of experience which should stir a little patriotic pride in any Australian who attends."

—The Daily Review

"Watching an opera about the creation of the Sydney Opera House with the eponymous building as the backdrop was surreal as well as awe-inspiring." 

—The Australian (subscription required)

"What you have is a must see – a genuine once in a lifetime event."

—Limelight Magazine

"A wonderful showcase of Opera Australia's talented company and a great opportunity to experience a new way of presenting outdoor performances."

—Broadway World

"A scale of excellence at every level"

—Stage Whispers