WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW!
The tour of the inside of the Opera House is one of the best tours I have ever been on. I would recommend this must be on your list of things to do when you visit Sydney.
The only way to see inside is to go to one of the performances or go on an official tour. I was overwhelmed by the beauty and grandeur of the inside of this building, coupled with the amazing videos and story of the history of its creation. It is a marvel of modern architecture and the vision of one man Jørn Utzon
Sydney Opera House (click on this link to see the amazing story of this icon)
Inaugurated in 1973, the Sydney Opera House is a great architectural work of the 20th century that brings together multiple strands of creativity and innovation in both architectural form and structural design. A great urban sculpture set in a remarkable waterscape, at the tip of a peninsula projecting into Sydney Harbour, the building has had an enduring influence on architecture. The Sydney Opera House comprises three groups of interlocking vaulted ‘shells’ which roof two main performance halls and a restaurant. These shell-structures are set upon a vast platform and are surrounded by terrace areas that function as pedestrian concourses. In 1957, when the project of the Sydney Opera House was awarded by an international jury to Danish architect Jørn Utzon, it marked a radically new approach to construction.
Amanda, our guide, took us round giving us fascinating details of the construction. We were allowed to take photos of the concourse and passageways between the 5 theatres but not allowed to take any photos inside the theatres.
Then we went inside the main performance hall.
My words cannot describe the beauty and grandeur of this magnificent theatre, goose bumps ran up my arms, It thrilled me to the core as the doors opened and we filed in to the magical strains of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra as they rehearsed for their next concert. A rare enchanted moment.
Could it get better than this?
Yes it could.
We went into the second theatre where opera and ballet performances take place and the Sydney Ballet Company were rehearsing “Cinderella”. To our absolute delight Cinderella and Prince Charming were performing the love dance when Prince Charming meets and falls in love with Cinderella. We all sat in spell-bound silence as the beauty of the moment unfolded before us. The grace and perfection brought tears to my eyes.
This very small image cannot show you how magnificent it is, you will have to come and see it for yourself.
Amanda, our guide, said how lucky we were to see both performances and even though it meant the tour took longer she let us sit through them both. No one complained….
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Ailsa of ” Where’s my backpack” has given us the theme SYMBOL this week. I have taken the meaning of symbol as “icon” and the Opera House is one of the endearing symbols/icons that comes to mind when I think of Sydney.
No wonder we were enthralled Prince Charming was David Hallberghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16WnJhypdhA and Cinderella Amber Scott. It is magic how fortunate we are.
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awwww … sniff! this post takes me right back there!!! beautiful pics! it’s a shame they didn’t let you take pics of the main symphony hall. when i made this visit they let you take pics as long as there was no one on stage. i was able to squeeze out a few pics until some musicians came on stage for a rehearsal, and we had to leave the theater. Really cool tho!!!
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Yes pity about the no photos rule, my trigger finger was itching, but photos really cannot capture the grandeur and shear majestic beauty of just standing inside that theatre dwarfed by the size of it
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Love your magnificent photos! It is certainly a beautiful building and you’ve inspired me to book a tour next time we are in Sydney.
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Hope you get a performance happening when you go, it is the cherry on the cake…
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I have to go back! We never went inside. Amazing~
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It was at the top of my list for this visit Cindy, we have been to and through Sydney many times but never been in the OH before. Don’t miss it….
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Great pics of this very photogenic building
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Thank you it is very photogenic especially when the sun is shining
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Amazing pics, Pommepal. What a fabulous example of modern architecture, and the setting is awesome. 🙂
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The weather was perfect too Ad
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Thanks for sharing this experience. Great photos and it is on my to ‘do list’ the bridge walk and the tour.
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G’day thanks for visiting. I believe you have to book months in advance for the bridge walk, but what a view you will get.
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Good to know Pommepal. Seasons greetings to you.
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Really enjoyed your mini tour – thank you!
del
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You’re welcome pleased to have you along 🙂
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Beautiful photos, Pauline. So glad it was more than you hoped for!
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Terrific value for $25, 2 mini performances and the tour…
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Beautiful!
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Thanks Jane
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Never been inside myself, but it looks as though it would be a worthwhile tour. I just love those tiles on the roof – close up they are so beautiful and not white at all, but pearlised (is there such a word?) so they reflect the light. An amazing structure and one of the modern icons of our times. Thanks for sharing this PP.
Jude xx
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Those tiles are amazing Jude, some are white gloss and others cream matt to get that sheen AND they are designed to be self cleaning, how clever is that…
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Very clever, if only everything was 😀
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Thank you for sharing the magnificence of this building and your tour. Although I am sure being there is 100 maybe 1000 times better you told of your experience so eloquently. And your pictures are so sharp this was the next best thing for someone like me who will probably never get to experience it.
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Thank you Dawn so pleased you enjoyed it. Just wait till you see the windows, I have enough to keep me going for weeks…. 🙂
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You captured the feeling but no one could show it like the experiencing of being there.
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It was an amazing experience
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