BACKSTAGE
Welcome! Want to delve a little deeper? Find out more about the artists and the shows here at the House.
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Pierre Huyghe: A Forest of Lines
Hollywood heavyweight Meryl Streep is back in Australia for the first in 20 years
Sydney Opera House celebrates Jørn Utzon's 90th birthday
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A lucky quartet of Opera House staff trekked out to physical theatre venue The Red Box in Lilyfield on Friday to check out the work-in-progress that is
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by Legs On The Wall - opening in The Studio at Sydney Opera House on July 23rd.
And what a show it is turning out to be!
There are three people on stage, three clown-like characters that represent Hope, Despair and Man. Dressed in colourful burlesque costumes with lipstick and rouge; they thrash about through times of darkness and light, wildly trying desperately to identify their place in the world. But as they try to connect all they can do is hurt each other.
The characters love, hug and hurl each other through the air; they are vulnerable, hardened and brought undone, but like all good cartoon characters they always bounce back.
Performed live by a three-piece band, the score draws on classic styles and genres, such as love songs, death metal, and bluegrass. Drums, trombone, violin, guitar, banjo and saxophone work with and against the action, pushing and pulling the audience in different directions as the performers act out their play.
We were dumb-struck by seeing the birth of such a powerful, accessible and relevant work that draws you in with its physical prowess and gut-wrenching action. Starring the extraordinary talents of Anton, Alexandra Harrison and Ingrid Kleinig and directed by Rowan Marchingo - don't you dare miss it!
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July 23 - August 2 - The Studio
Pierre Huyghe: A Forest of Lines
A special 24-hour event took place in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House by acclaimed artist Pierre Huyghe. Emptied of its usual functionality and filled instead with around 1000 trees, fog, a lone voice and the light of dawn, visitors were able to step into the Concert Hall and experience Huyghe’s vision and be part of a living art work. You can see pictures of the Forest above.
To find out more about this project please take a moment
to watch this vodcast
.
Hollywood heavyweight Meryl Streep is back in Australia for the first in 20 years
The Devil Wears Prada star was at the Sydney Opera House on July 8 to attend the Mamma Mia media conference.
Joined by Colin Firth and Dominic Cooper, her co-stars in the film based on the ABBA musical of the same name, Streep greeted the local media with “G’day” in her best Australian accent.
Streep had not returned to Australia since filming Evil Angels in 1988.
Sydney Opera House’s Architect, Jørn Utzon's 90th Birthday Celebrations.
April 9, 2008
It has been a remarkable year for Mr Utzon, with many developments inside and outside his building, including being added to the World Heritage List as, “a masterpiece of human creative genius.”
To celebrate this special birthday and in keeping with annual tradition, Sydney Opera House sent Mr Utzon a birthday message. This year, staff formed a ‘House’ Choir and, accompanied by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, sang Happy Birthday from the Concert Hall choir stalls.
The one-off performance was filmed and couriered to Mr Utzon’s home in Denmark.
Jørn Utzon has been the architect of Sydney Opera House since 1957 and is currently working on the Western Foyers project.
Watch video.
WATCH
Want a taste of what is on offer at Sydney Opera House over the coming weeks? Here's a selection of video to whet your appetite.
JULY
MUSIC
Sydney Opera House proudly welcomes the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of superstar conductor Zubin Mehta, for three very sensational concerts.
Watch now.
Book now.
THEATRE
You can see a video of The 39 Steps. Simply click on the link below to go to the artist event page, then click on the video button that sits on the image.
Book now.
AUGUST
MUSIC
Don't missTujiko Noriko, the undisputed queen of Japanese avant-pop experimental music.
Watch now.
Book now.
You can see a video of The Casio Brothers, masters of retro-electro-kid-hop! Simply click on the link below to go to the artist event page, then click on the video button that sits on the image.
Book now.
You can see a video of Kwartet Punakawan: Indonesia Pusaka. Simply click on the link below to go to the artist event page, then click on the video button that sits on the image.
Book now.
SEPTEMBER
DANCE
Don't miss Sara Baras Ballet Flamenco in its first and only Australian performances. Click on the video button above to see the video.
Book now.
THEATRE
You can see a video of Special Delivery. Simply click on the link below to go to the artist event page, then click on the video button that sits on the image.
Book now.
OCTOBER
MUSIC
Founded by Fabio Biondi, dazzling Italian early-music ensemble Europa Galante is established as the foremost interpreters of Italian baroque and classical music.
Watch now.
Book now.
If you loved his soundtrack to Underground you won’t want to miss Goran Bregovic in this exclusive Sydney concert.
Watch now.
Tickets On Sale 28th July.
NOVEMBER
MUSIC
Ustad Zakir Hussain is globally revered as a tabla virtuoso of the highest standard. Don’t miss this opportunity to be amazed and inspired by a true percussion genius.
Watch now.
Onsale July 28.
DECEMBER
MUSIC
For the first time in over ten years, Rolf Harris returns to Australia to perform live! Simply click on the link below to go to the artist event page, then click on the video button that sits on the image.
Book now.
LISTEN
You can check out lots of artists that are performing at the House and listen to them in action. Simply click on the link below to go to the artist event page, then click on the audio button that sits on the image.
TALKS
Download or listen to podcasts recorded at our recent international talks featuring Tom Stoppard and Ian McEwan.
MUSIC
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
July 26 and 28 - Concert Hall
Broad - Deborah Conway
August 23 - Concert Hall
Broad - Laura Jean
August 23 - Concert Hall
Broad - Elana Stone
August 23 - Concert Hall
Broad - Liz Stringer
August 23 - Concert Hall
Broad - Dianna Corcoran
August 23 - Concert Hall
Goran Bregovic "Tales and Songs for Weddings and Funerals"
October 14 - Concert Hall
Europa Galante - The Four Seasons
October 27 - Concert Hall
Joe Lovano & John Scofield Quartet
October 28 - Concert Hall
Invisible Rhythm
November 25 - Utzon Room
Sing up a Storm
December 3 - Utzon Room
LEARN
Read reviews and news articles about events and artists here.
JULY
MUSIC
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
"...one of the most popular and most emblematic orchestras in the world, a bearer of the message of peace..."
The Australian
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OPERA
My Fair Lady
"... My Fair Lady has received a glorious new staging..."
The Australian
"Modern meaning for an old favourite"
The Sydney Morning Herald
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DANCE
Mathinna
"A lost spirit among the colonists"
The Australian
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THEATRE
Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps
"Alfred Hitchcock's spy thriller film becomes a stage comedy - with four actors playing 139 roles."
The Sydney Morning Herald
Book now.
PERFORMANCE
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"Legs On The Wall's latest show has a Road Runner-style comic twist."
The Sydney Morning Herald
"A crazy world in wild action" The Glebe
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