The Opera Theatre is a proscenium arch lyric theatre with an orchestra pit accommodating up to 70 musicians. The three companies which present annual programs in the Opera Theatre are Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet and Sydney Opera House. It is most suitable for opera, ballet and contemporary dance.
The maximum seating capacity is 1,507, with 883 in the stalls, 466 in the dress circle and 158 in boxes, some of which have restricted sightlines. The walls and ceiling are painted black and the floor is brushbox timber. The seats are made of white birch timber and are upholstered in red woollen fabric.
The Opera Theatre has an extensive flying system and a maximum proscenium opening of 11.5m wide by 7.0m high. The height to the grid is 15.5m.
The stage is 17.5m deep upstage of the safety curtain. Two lifts at the rear of the stage can add 7m to the stage depth and are used to move scenery from the dock area below. The orchestra pit extends in an arc downstage of the safety curtain to a maximum depth of 3m. The front section of the pit can be raised to stage level to increase the performance area. Wing space is restricted with only 3.5m beyond the proscenium on either side of the stage.
The Opera Theatre is fully scheduled each year and there is limited opportunity for venue hire.
Technical specifications and plans can be downloaded from the links in the right panel. Seating configurations are subject to change. Please contact the Box Office on +61 2 9250 7777 for details on a specific performance.
For more information please contact Presenter Services:
Venue hiring enquiries: +61 2 9250 7393
Fax: +61 2 9250 7816
Email:
venues@sydneyoperahouse.com