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First Nations at the Sydney Opera House

Welcome to Country

A Welcome To Country is a customary greeting that Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island people extend to visitors, who in turn agree to respect traditional laws and culture.

Upcoming performances, shows and events

Badu Gili: wonder women art projects on the sails of Sydney opera house.
Badu Gili: Wonder Women, 2021, curated by Coby Edgar.
Experiences

Badu Gili: Wonder Women

Badu Gili - meaning 'water light' in the language of the traditional owners of Bennelong Point, the Gadigal people - is a free daily experience that explores First Nations stories in a spectacular six-minute projection on the Opera House’s eastern Bennelong sails.

28 May 2023 Contemporary Music

Birdz and Fred Leone Present: Girra

With their lyrical flow, dynamic beats and ferociously political subject matter, rappers and cousins Birdz and Fred Leone bring their distinct brand of hip-hop from the Butchulla Nation to the Vivid LIVE stage.

31 May 2023 Contemporary Music

Budjerah

Vintage soul and gospel gets a modern pop twist in the dazzling sound of Budjerah, the ARIA-award-winning R&B sensation making his Sydney Opera House debut for Vivid LIVE.

1 Jun 2023 Contemporary Music

Pirra

With their irresistible new album Spirals making waves, Wollongong-based indie pop outfit Pirra bring their dance-floor bops and buoyant energy to the Sydney Opera House for their Vivid LIVE debut.

30 Jun - 8 Sep 2023 First Nations

Badu Gili: LIVE

Gather from sunset for a free outdoor event that will transform the Opera House’s Monumental Steps into a festival that celebrates First Nations music, art and food.

A man wearing lion skin aiming with wooden spear.
13 Jun - 15 Jul 2023 Dance

Yuldea

From the incomparable storytellers of Bangarra Dance Theatre comes a major new work. Frances Rings’ first work as Artistic Director is a ceremonial affirmation of history and heritage. Yuldea awakens the earth and sky worlds to tell the story of the Anangu people of the Great Victorian Desert.

21 Jun 2023 Contemporary Music

Spinifex Gum & the Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Spinifex Gum combines the beauty of a young Indigenous female choir from Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait with contemporary songwriting that speaks to issues of our time.

7 Jul 2023 Contemporary Music

Kutcha Edwards

Celebrate NAIDOC week with renowned songman, Kutcha Edwards, as he returns to perform his new album Circling Time. The performance takes you on a journey with stories from his incredible life, that segue so eloquently into each mesmeric song lifting your spirit. At the heart of it, Kutcha’s music is pure soul.

A person weaving a bracelet from coloured jute.
8 Jul 2023 Workshops

Ngumpie Weaving

All Ages | Weave with Ngumpie Weaving artist Tegan Murdock to learn about traditional Aboriginal practices of purposeful and sustainable making.

10 Jul 2023 Classical Music

Ngapa William Cooper

Join the Australian Youth Orchestra as they perform three sweeping works inspired by the tenacity of the human spirit in times of darkness.

An aboriginal man and women wearing a black suit with traditional face art.
11 Sep - 14 Oct 2023 Theatre

The Visitors

It’s January 1788 and a mysterious fleet is amassing in the harbour. Seven clan leaders must make a momentous decision: to send these strangers on their way or welcome them?

Stream, read & listen

A woman in a white jacket against a textured colorful visual projected onto the Sydney Opera House's sails, smiling.
Badu Gili artist Pat Ansell Dodds, Sydney Opera House
Read First Nations

The story of Badu Gili

Meet the Indigenous artists bringing First Nations cultures to the world.

Deadly Voices from the House

Acclaimed presenter, journalist, actor, producer and arts guru Rhoda Roberts AO presents Deadly Voices from the House, recorded live from Sydney Opera House.

Image: Sam Doust
Read Building

Tubowgule

Ever since it was a place for ceremony, gathering and celebration in Aboriginal Australia, Tubowgule has always reflected the society tucked in around Sydney Cove.

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Badu Gili’s Frances Belle Parker

We talk to Frances Belle Parker, one of the five Badu Gili artists, about her work, her motivation and how she's used the Opera House’s sails as a blank canvas.

Read First Nations

Deborah Mailman on Rhoda Roberts’ “remarkable” 16 years at the Sydney Opera House

Few people have had as much influence on what takes place in these hallowed halls as Rhoda Roberts. This month, she finishes her incredible stint at the Opera House. We spoke to actress and Trustee Deborah Mailman about Robert's everlasting impact.

Listen Contemporary Music

Music for... Love by Budjerah

Teen R&B sensation Budjerah has themed his playlist around love, and all the daydreaming and sweet talking that comes with a budding romance. Listen in, then tune in to his exclusive Opera House show for Liminal.

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Why NAIDOC matters

We ask some of our Opera House family – performers and artists who take centre stage during this week of celebration – to discuss this year's NAIDOC theme and to unpack why the week matters to them.

Stream Classical Music

Ensemble Offspring | Composing Songlines

Celebrating the unique music which has been created by First Nations Australian composers in the past 5 years as part of Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers program, this special concert featuring the compact chamber force of Ensemble Offspring places these ancient musical voices reflecting land, nature, history and deep culture at the forefront of living art music in Australia.

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Spirit of collaboration inspires ground-breaking Vivid LIVE sails artwork

Emily Nicol speaks to the creators of this year's extraordinary Vivid Lighting of the Sails artwork: the Martumili Artists, musicians Electric Fields, and creative technologists Curiious.

Stream, read and listen to more First Nations at the Opera House

Career development opportunities

The Sydney Opera House is committed to providing hands-on experiences to young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, which can lead to employment opportunities.

For further information about these career opportunities, contactworkexperience@sydneyoperahouse.com.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to be great and learn more about our culture at the Opera House.

Courtney, Work Experience Program participant, FY17

Discover Tubowgule

Explore the history of the site where the Opera House stands.

The Opera House is committed to providing educational, professional development and cultural opportunities for First Nations communities. Whether through work experience, curated performances, such as the annual Dance Rites festival, or the daily lighting of the sails, the generous contributions of our visitors and friends allows us to create a positive impact in the lives of our communities.

Giving a gift today helps foster and celebrate a shared sense of belonging for all Australians. 

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