Productions & performances held at the Sydney Opera House

We hold records of productions and performances held at the Sydney Opera House.

Sydney Opera House Trust; NRS-21273, Posters of productions, 1955-2000.

These are posters of performances and events that occurred at the Opera House.

Sydney Opera House Trust; NRS-21786, Programs, 1972-1997.

This is a complete set of programs for both the Sydney Opera House Trust productions and for hirer productions including events, fundraisers and exhibitions. The programs were previously held in the collection of the Dennis Wolanski Library of the Performing Arts, which was closed in 1997. Search the catalogue for a list of the programs in this series.

Sydney Opera House Trust; NRS-20214, Photographs of productions by hirers, 1973-1994. Search the catalogue for a list of items in this series.

These images are of productions performed at the Sydney Opera House, group portraits and a small number of costume designs. The hirers included the Australian Opera, the Australian Ballet, Gary Penny Productions, Peter and Ellen Williams, the Sydney Dance Company and the Sydney Theatre Company.

Sydney Opera House Trust; NRS-17759, Cultural Programme Committee minutes, 1971-1976

Sydney Opera House Trust; NRS-17761, Programme Committee minutes, 1971-1987

Watch the webinar

Sydney Opera House program for the performance of The Magic Flute

Sydney Opera House: Programs in the Spotlight

Our exhibition: The People’s House – The Sydney Opera House at 50 features dozens of programs from the State Archive collection. Join exhibition curator Dr Scott Hill as we dive into an intriguing archive

Guide to the records

https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/styles/juicebox_square_thumbnail/public/Galleries/Sydney%20Opera%20House/12707_00014.jpg?itok=xFVIaFL8

Sydney Opera House

Highlighting Sydney Opera House records in the State Archives Collection

Sydney Opera House drawings

An International Competition for the design of a National Opera House at Bennelong Point was held in 1956. We hold the original drawings submitted by Jørn Utzon and other competition records

Photo of Jørn Utzon in 1959

Utzon v the Minister

After the election of a new Liberal government in 1965, control over payments for the Opera House project was transferred from the Opera House Committee to the Minster of Public Works

Fort Macquarie, a man stand at boats moored in front of the building

Fort Macquarie, Bennelong Point

Fort Macquarie was constructed between 1817-1821 and demolished in 1901. The Tram Depot was opened in 1902 and pulled down in 1958 to make way for the building of the Sydney Opera House

Fireworks above the Opera House on the night of the official opening, before the commencement of the opening concert. October 20th 1973.

Opening of the Sydney Opera House

The Opera House was officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen on 20 October 1973. This was followed by a two-week festival of events