Joan Sutherland Theatre
The home of Opera Australia, the Australian Ballet and Bangarra Dance Theatre, the Joan Sutherland Theatre is the second largest indoor venue in the Opera House.
This theatre is not available for commercial hire as it is booked for Resident Companies and Sydney Opera House Presents year round.
Venue information
Location and access
The Joan Sutherland Theatre is located at the northern side of the foyer, to the left hand side of the stairs leading to the Concert Hall. Best accessed through the covered concourse. All Sydney Opera House foyers are accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to all foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators).
Upcoming events
Carmen
18 Jul – 19 Sep 2025
Take an adrenaline-pumping ride through lust, jealousy and spectacle in this bold new production of an opera classic. When Carmen meets Don José, sparks fly. She won’t give up her freedom, and Don José won’t give up his girl. Their smouldering passion sets the stage for tragedy. This visceral opera is thrilling from the moment the curtain rises and the orchestra races away with the overture. It features the famous Toreador song, the Habanera and moving Flower song.
Rusalka
23 Jul – 11 Aug 2025
A water nymph longs to live and love as a human and will sacrifice everything to get there. Superstar Australian soprano Nicole Car plays Rusalka. Rusalka longs for light, love and life on the surface. She’ll sacrifice anything to get it. But the water nymph can’t imagine what she’s giving up … or if the man she loves is worth it. Nicole Car is one of the most successful Australian sopranos in decades. Don’t miss her return home in her role debut as Rusalka.
Great Opera Hits 2025
27 Jul – 30 Dec 2025
Stroll down to the iconic Sydney Opera House and join the stars of Opera Australia for a 90-minute summer afternoon concert of the greatest hits of opera. These relaxed concerts take place as the sun sets across Sydney Harbour, and last around 90 minutes. Listen to famous arias from Bizet, Puccini, Rossini, Verdi and more performed by some of Opera Australia’s finest opera singers, accompanied by piano.
