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Recent Event Highlights: Official Opening Ceremony with Queen, Sydney Opera House Appointed, First Test Concert in Concert Hall, Opening Ceremony, Stage II completed., Stage I completed, and 16 more...

Created by thecyclingarchaeologist on Nov 2, 2010

Last updated: 11/02/10 at 10:36 PM

• Public Availability of Construction Records
  Mar 28, 1997

  The Premier and Minister for the Arts, Mr Bob Carr, announced that in an endeavour to reflect the Government's commitment to open and accountable administration, all the construction records of the Opera House, irrespective of their age, were to be open to the public.

• Car Park Opened
  Mar 17, 1993

  A car park for 1,100 cars is built under the Royal Botanic Gardens by Enacom in association with the Department of Public Works. The Car park is opened by the Premier of NSW, Mr John Fahey

• Organ finished.
  May 30, 1979

• Architects' Certificate of Completion
  May 31, 1975

• Final Costings
  May 1974

  The final cost of the Opera House is $102 million (excluding cost for the organ and car park.)

• Official Opening Ceremony with Queen
  Oct 20, 1973

  Official opening with her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II overseeing the proceedings.

• First Public Performance
  Sep 29, 1973

  First public concert in Concert Hall with Birgit Nilsson singing Wagner with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra under Charles Mackerras.

• Sydney Opera House Appointed
  1973

  Responsibility for the Opera House is given to the Sydney Opera Trust and the Minister of Cultural Activities, George Freudenstein.

• First Test Concert in Concert Hall
  Dec 17, 1972

  First test concert in Concert Hall with Sydney Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Bernard Heinze.

• Opening Ceremony
  Feb 28, 1972

  The Premier, Sir Robert Askin, heads the Sydney Opera House Official Opening Committee.

• Stage II completed.
  Mar 1967

• Review of Program Submitted
  Dec 12, 1966

  Hall, Todd and Littlemore submit "Review of Program" and suggest major changes to the use of halls.

• Government Payment to Utzon
  May 17, 1966

  The Government pays Utzon's representatives $160,000 in return for 130 architectural drawings for Stage III.

• Replacements Announced
  Apr 19, 1966

  Replacements for Jørn Utzon announced a panel consisting of:E.H. Farmer, Government Architect, Peter Hall, Design Architect, D.S. Littlemore, in charge of supervision, and Lionel Todd, in charge of contract documents.

• Jørn Utzon resigns
  Feb 28, 1966

• The Seeds of Discontent
  1965

  Newly elected Premier, Robert Askin transfers power over payments from the Opera House Committee to the Minister of Public Works, Davis Hughes.

• Stage II Commences
  Apr 1963

  Stage II commences — Construction of the shell roofs and some subsidiary work is carried out by MR Hornibook (NSW) P/L

• Stage I completed
  Mar 1963

• Premier Cahill Dies in Office
  Oct 22, 1959

  Premier J. J. Cahill dies of myocardial infarction on 22 October 1959 at Sydney Hospital.

• Work Begins on Foundations
  Mar 2, 1959

  Work begins on the foundations. The work on Stage I — the building of the upper podium — is to be carried out by Civil and Civic P/L.

• Tram Depot Demolished
  Aug 1958

  Demolition of the Bennelong Point Tram Depot commences.

• Jørn Utzon Arrives in Australia
  Jul 1957

  Jørn Utzon visits Sydney to discuss the proposed building.

• Jørn Utzon's Design Successful
  Jan 29, 1957

  Out of 233 entries from 32 countries, Jørn Utzon wins first prize.

• Design Competition Announced
  Sep 13, 1955

  The Premier J.J. Cahill announces that the Government of NSW will hold an international competition for the design of an opera house. It is to be suitable for many kinds of performing arts with two halls (one to seat between 3000-3500 people) and the other to seat 1200. There is also to be a restaurant and two public rooms for meetings.

• Initial Push for Opera House in Sydney
  1947

  Eugene Goossens, conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra calls for "a musical centre housing a big hall for a symphony orchestra, a small hall for chamber music and a fine home for an opera company".