Sydney Opera House
![](https://images.slm.com.au/fotoweb/embed/2023/03/cf91e9a3f2124488b439b9c0da9f8aa9.jpg)
On This Day
10 Jan 1958 - first Sydney Opera House lottery
On this day 10 January 1958 the first Opera House lottery was drawn
![Government Printing Office 2 - 33847 - Opera House - last shell being positioned [Public Works Department; Sydney Opera House (N.S.W.); building construction; cranes (machines)] [GPO original locations or series - St74766] [23/01/1967]](https://images.slm.com.au/fotoweb/embed/2023/07/2eba372a1f554f9d8f4e4cda66efc42c.jpg)
On This Day
2 Mar 1959 - Sydney Opera House construction began
On this Day work officially began on Stage 1 of the Sydney Opera House
![https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/nswsa-content/images/12707_00050.jpg](https://images.slm.com.au/fotoweb/embed/2023/03/7bae4b78aea94882b5b05ccb78f3e425.jpg)
On This Day
20 Oct 1973 - Sydney Opera House officially opened
On this day 20 October 1973 the Sydney Opera House was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II
![](https://images.slm.com.au/fotoweb/embed/2023/08/7f5ca83d15a94cbfbae44c1762068ff8.jpg)
A Sepik River mei mask
An eye-catching object in the People’s House: Sydney Opera House at 50 exhibition reveals an unexpected story of the opening ceremonies, of performance, and of international diplomacy
![Kim Tao with her snow globe collection at the Caroline Simpson Library](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/zl9du87e/staging/3f27864425981af20db2bf5c6dd0d18df8258c1d-1920x1080.jpg?fit=max&auto=format)
An Opera House in every home
Instantly recognisable, the Opera House has been replicated across a vast array of forms and materials, from kitsch souvenirs and homewares to artworks and designer accessories
![Sydney Opera House Barbie doll](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/zl9du87e/staging/03670c0f18e6904790ba640bdb51366e404cad71-3024x4032.jpg?rect=0,0,3024,1833&fit=max&auto=format)
An icon wearing an icon: Sydney Opera House Barbie
Stepping away from her signature pink, Barbie honours the Sydney Opera House with more subtle tones in her gown, that reflect the Opera House and its Harbourside location
![A mannequin dressed in an elaborate Renaissance-style stage costume stands in a large Perspex-fronted display case . On the rear wall a small screen is showing a scene from the opera Lucrezia Borgia where Dame Joan Sutherland is wearing the same costume.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/zl9du87e/staging/9800c0af2c2e7ca5215a5bde181672dc3bf5e850-3934x2811.jpg?rect=0,0,3934,2569&fit=max&auto=format)
Dressing Joan Sutherland
One of the most spectacular costumes on display in the exhibition The People’s House: Sydney Opera House at 50 is an extraordinary Renaissance dress designed by Kristian Fredrikson and worn by Dame Joan Sutherland in the part of the notorious Lucrezia Borgia
![Fort Macquarie, a man stand at boats moored in front of the building](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/zl9du87e/staging/c779e370c2f820c248a87f0d13b69abd28bcb585-1290x1097.jpg?fit=max&auto=format)
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
![Todd Duncan (baritone) with Harold Blair, c.1950s](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/zl9du87e/staging/dc91a4da12d41651114e74d34e4664efcb0488f9-3494x2486.jpg?rect=0,0,3494,2223&fit=max&auto=format)
First Nations
Harold Blair, trailblazer
Wulli Wulli tenor Harold Blair AM was Australia’s first professionally trained Aboriginal opera singer