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.

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

7 Aug – 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.

  • Opera
  • Opera Australia

The Marriage of Figaro

31 Jul – 27 Aug 2025

A chaotic whirlwind of mistaken identities makes the wedding day of Figaro and Susanna a lesson in hilarity. With a witty, fast-moving libretto and hum-along melodies, Mozart’s classic is a lesson in hilarity. It’s Figaro and Susanna’s wedding day, but Count Almaviva is determined to win Susanna for himself. In one crazy day of disguises, duplicity, desire and utter madness, the fiancés must foil the philandering noble’s seductive advances.

  • Opera
  • Opera Australia
A bearded man picks away and glares at a wedding cake with a happy couple in period costume at the top.

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.

  • Opera
  • Opera Australia

Plan your visit

Address

Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Getting to the venue

The Opera House is a 7-10 minute walk from Circular Quay, and is easily accessible by car, train, ferry, lightrail, bus, bike and on foot.