Read
Articles and stories from the Sydney Opera House
Live at Sydney Opera House
We’ve just unveiled our newest collection of live performance films recorded at the House. Now’s the perfect time to catch up on the shows you missed, relive the ones you saw or even discover something new, all from the comfort of your own home.
Classical Music
Adventures in Chamber Music: Your Guide to the Utzon Music 2024
The Utzon Music Series returns in 2024 with an exciting array of chamber music featuring some of Australia’s favourite artists alongside exciting international guests, many of whom are making their Sydney Opera House debut in the House’s most intimate venue.
Under the Sails with the LSO
In our 50-year history, the Sydney Opera House has welcomed thousands of world-class performers to its halls. But no orchestra has as long and rich a shared history with the Opera House as the London Symphony Orchestra.
“Rebirth and resurrection”
Who better to help reopen the heart of the Opera House than William Barton? The celebrated Kalkadunga musician estimates he has played the venue over 300 times. This week, with clapsticks made from wood salvaged from the stage, he'll perform with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in a triumphant return to the Concert Hall.
Read more Classical Music stories
Contemporary Art & Performance
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.
Contemporary Music
What’s sounding good at the Opera House this Feb - Mar 2024
Give your ears a treat this February and March by catching a concert on one of the world's most iconic stages. From post-punk to jazz to zamrock, there's an eclectic mix of genres and artists ready to rock the night away with you. Read on to find your next gig.
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.
Solange’s sculptural performance art
Six shows where the artist collided music with movement and space.
Read more Contemporary Music stories
Comedy, Circus & Magic
The stylish Scotsman who's reinventing mentalism
Scott Silven isn't your average magician. He sees magic as storytelling – "a metaphor for something greater". Ahead of Wonders, we talk to Silven about the art of 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.
Vietnam’s villages bloom into a city in À Ố Làng Phố
Tuan Le's new circus challenges how we see Asia.
Read more Comedy, Circus & Magic stories
Dance
Five Reasons to See Carmen
For the very first time this month, The Australian Ballet is thrilled to be performing an innovative contemporary retelling of Carmen at Sydney Opera House. Get up to speed on the spicy Spanish tale, from its much-loved operatic roots to Johan Inger’s modern dance spin.
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.
Stage Direction: Anna Karenina
In this edition of Stage Direction, Stephen A Russell traces the tracks of Anna Karenina, Tolstoy’s tempestuous ode to love, loss and family, ahead of its latest ballet adaptation at the Sydney Opera House.
Read more Dance stories
First Nations
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.
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.
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.
Read more First Nations stories
Kids & Families
Stage Direction: Grug & Magic Beach
How does a treasured childhood classic become a living, breathing three-dimensional theatre tale? Lenny Ann Low looks at the art of adapting two iconic picture books for the Opera House stage.
School holidays survival guide
Our guide to surviving the school holidays with your sanity, and your kids' imagination, intact.
From stage to story: books for kids
Inspire creative young minds with these children's books whose characters and their authors have appeared on the Opera House stages.
Read more Kids & Families stories
Musical Theatre & Cabaret
Stage Direction: The Phantom of the Opera
Unmask Phantom, the original ‘mega-musical’, from its humble beginnings in a French newspaper to being part of our cultural DNA over 100 years later.
The iconic songs of Sondheim: The cast of Sweeney share their favourite tracks
In anticipation of Sweeney Todd, the cast and crew of the show speak about the enduring impact of the great Stephen Sondheim. Read about their favourite songs from his extensive and remarkable career.
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.
Read more Musical Theatre & Cabaret stories
Opera
Brett Whiteley: A life, an opera
A rebel. An icon. Learn about one of Australia's greatest artists.
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
Read more Opera stories
Talks & Ideas
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.
Mother tongues and minor feelings
Recipient of the Antidote and Sweatshop Mentorship for Diverse Emerging Writers Joyce Chew on family, language and the “glittering visage of the Australian ‘fair go’”.
Now you see us
Recipient of the Antidote and Sweatshop Mentorship Program for Diverse Emerging Writers Patricia Arcilla writes about the “tidiness” of #StopAsianHate in the face of deeper systemic problems.
Read more Talks & Ideas stories
Theatre
Stage Direction: Amadeus
In this edition of Stage Direction, Stephen A Russell delves into the irresistible appeal of a feverishly imagined operatic tragedy.
Stage Direction: The Little Prince
In the first of our new series on page-to-stage adaptations, Neha Kale looks at how Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s poignant tale of a young prince lives on in the 21st century.
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.
Read more Theatre stories