Read
Articles and stories from the Sydney Opera House
Stream
You can now watch Underworld turn the Concert Hall into a rave cave
Looking back at the three-night dance odyssey that transformed the Concert Hall.
Art at the House
Restoring the Coburn Tapestries
John Coburn was at the height of his fame when the artist was pitched to architect Peter Hall to design the Sydney Opera House theatre curtains in 1969. Hall had taken over from Danish architect Jørn Utzon and was ushering the building towards completion.
The inside story of Olsen’s celebrated Opera House mural
When I went to see Kenneth Slessor, he was working as a journalist, his poetical self long since disappeared, and he told me a story. It was the story of an artist who drowned in Sydney opposite the place where the Opera House now stands.
A Possum Story
Michael Jagamara was born into and revelled in a time of great change and opportunities. Following the end of World War II, abstract expressionism had arrived in the Australian art world and Sidney Nolan completed his Ned Kelly series. Also in that year, in the north part of Western Australia, in an amazingly unread, event, at least 800 Aboriginal pastoral workers walked off the job and began one of the longest industrial strikes in Australian history.
Cinema and Screen
Ever wanted to watch a film and immediately grill the director?
You’re probably used to watching films without the director in the room. Any praises, thoughts, or questions you have are left shared with whoever you’re with at the time. But imagine if you could question the actual director about their film right after watching it? Well, at Sydney Film Festival this year, you can. We’re screening a wide selection of films as part of the festival, and some come paired with a special director Q&A. Check out the directors you could meet below.
Surfing at the Opera House: An Unexpected History
Discover the hidden origins of Cinema at the Opera House and its connection with countercultural surf films.
5 Sydney Opera House near misses (in the movies)
From killer sea creatures to crashing UFOs, the Sydney Opera House has been threatened in the most imaginative and unexpected ways. Here are just a few of our close calls.
Classical Music
Evolving Traditions: Your Guide to Utzon Music 2025
Like humans, music takes many forms, shaped by different landscapes, languages, ways of living and listening. Through every age, music and musicians have been border-crossers: melodies, instruments, players and chord progressions migrating and morphing in constant search of new forms, new listeners. Beloved traditions become the inspiration for fresh compositions, as reinvention and rebirth give cultures ongoing vitality.
There’s Something in the Wata
Paul Grabowsky has spent two decades exploring ways to combine ‘Western’ musical tradition with the traditions of the world’s oldest-continuing culture. With Wata, which receives its Sydney premiere this July, he has arrived somewhere new, old, familiar and unique all at the same time.
50 extraordinary ACO moments at the Sydney Opera House
Take a look back at 50 of our favourite ACO moments, inside and outside the House.
Contemporary Music
Eavesdropping on Nils Frahm
Cynthia Loh reflects on Nils Frahm's extravagant yet intimate ode to the harbourside city: Music for Sydney.
For Arthur Jafa, Black art is the heart of America
“There’s an inherent, undeniable power of our music. And owning things is a big deal for us because we were owned.”
The Steve Lacy song for every star sign: a cosmic guide
To celebrate Steve Lacy’s latest album, Gemini Rights and his only Australian headline shows at the Sydney Opera House this Jan – Feb, we thought we’d find the perfect Steve Lacy song for every star sign, not just Geminis.
Comedy, Circus & Magic
What’s it really like to run away with the circus?
Ever wondered what it's like to run away with the circus? Jascha Boyce and Darcy Grant from contemporary circus production The Mirror share the high-flying details.
Exposing the fallacy of circus ‘showmen’
Debunking the myth of circus showmen ahead of Opera House original production Natives Go Wild. Learn the truth of a business that coerced and scammed First People, who were put on display and forced to perform.
Vietnam’s villages bloom into a city in À Ố Làng Phố
Tuan Le's new circus challenges how we see Asia.
Dance
The Pacific tales given a modern dance spin in MĀUI
Direct from Aotearoa and created by Fresh Movement Collective comes MĀUI, a contemporary dance reimagining of Pacific storytelling. The production focuses on tales revolving around the heroic demigod, Māui. It vibrantly explores his many sides, from pulling down the sun to lifting the islands out of the water, and more.
Dancing to de-feet Parkinson’s
There’s still a lot that's unknown about Parkinson’s disease. But as research progresses, dance stands out as a form of exercise helping to control symptoms and giving strength to those living with the condition.
What you need to know about… Romeo and Juliet Suite
In a dazzling new production, the L.A Dance Project is set to make their Australian Debut in Benjamin Millepied’s bold and contemporary reimagining of Shakespeare’s masterpiece Romeo & Juliet Suite. This multilayered show fuses together cinema, dance and theatre to tell the classic story through a daring new lens.
First Nations
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.
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.
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.
Kids & Families
Moustache dance battles, silly pranks and magical puppets take over the House this school holidays
Our pick of the season
School kids write migrant family stories into song
Students from Lansvale Public tell history and humour with musician Luke Escombe
My Inspirational Teacher: Pasi Sahlberg
The Finnish educator and thought-leader on the teachers who inspired him to reshape the narrative around schooling.
Musical Theatre & Cabaret
RENT’s powerful message for now: love and hope, 25 years on
RENT is a distinctively 90s musical that has retained its relevance a quarter century later. Lenny Ann Low discusses the latest incarnation of the cult musical with its just-announced cast and crew.
The viral musical you’ve probably never heard of
When it opened in 2017, ‘SIX the Musical’ enchanted a new generation of musical theatre fans with its contemporary pop homages and progressive take on Tudor history. Now, having just debuted on Broadway, the viral musical has its sights set on a wider audience.
The French songwriting duo who dared to dream a dream
Many twists of fate led to this mesmerising concert celebrating the enduring music of Les Misérables, Miss Saigon and more.
Opera
Love List: Great Opera Hits by Guy Noble
Know your Nessun Dormas from your Habaneras? Find out what makes a ‘great opera hit’ in this special playlist curated by conductor, composer and broadcaster Guy Noble.
Cheat sheet: La Bohème
Everything you need to know about the original bohemian love story
Brett Whiteley: A life, an opera
A rebel. An icon. Learn about one of Australia's greatest artists.
Talks & Ideas
Why your next computer may be a lab-grown brain
We interview Dr Brett Kagan, Chief Scientific Officer at Cortical Labs, a Melbourne-based biological computing startup trying to revolutionise the AI industry by replacing current computer chip technology with biological alternatives, offering far more processing power for significantly less energy usage.
The recipes that made her famous: Alison Roman’s internet-breaking meals
From the flavourful Spiced Chickpea Stew with Coconut and Turmeric to the legendary Salted Butter and Chocolate Chunk Shortbread, Alison Roman’s simple but oh-so-delicious creations have amassed millions of shares, likes, and followers around the world.
Dancing with Zadie Smith
Sisonke Msimang on the playful call and response of the British writer
Theatre
Listen to the revolution: Disrupting the 250+ year silence
As part of UnWrapped 2024, an ongoing series of works by outstanding independent creators, we’re excited to welcome SILENCE to our iconic venue. SILENCE is a powerful contemporary dance work from Karul Projects. The work disrupts a 250+ year silence, ushering in an urgent call for TREATY.
John Bell in seven acts
To celebrate Bell Shakespeare’s 30th anniversary we highlight seven of the best John Bell moments on stage with the Bard.
