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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.

An aboriginal man and women wearing a black suit with traditional face art.
5 - 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?

4 - 31 Oct 2023 Experiences

Whispers: A Monumental Public Artwork by Quandamooka artist Megan Cope

During October, to mark the occasion of the Sydney Opera House’s 50th anniversary, Cope will install a series of monumental site specific sculptures that honour Tubowgule’s pre-settlement history while considering the environment’s fragility.

18 Oct 2023 Talks & Ideas

First Stories of the House

Join the late Harold Blair’s daughter, Nerida Blair and contemporary First Nations performers in conversation with Daniel Browning.

20 Oct 2023 Contemporary Music

Emma Donovan

Beloved, ARIA-nominated Indigenous singer-songwriter Emma Donovan brings her dazzling soul, roots and country sound to her headlining debut at the Sydney Opera House.

25 - 26 Nov 2023 First Nations

DanceRites 2023

Witness the powerful coming together of traditional customs and contemporary culture, with hundreds of First Nations dancers from around Australia and performers from around the world.

Join us on the forecourt, a First Nations meeting place for thousands of years, to share in this free festival of live dance, music and community.

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.

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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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