Regarded as one of the greatest architectural and engineering achievements of the 20th century because of its unique design, the Sydney Opera House was the centre of controversy from its conception by the NSW State government in 1954 to its completion in 1972. The Opera House stands on Bennelong Point, which itself is steeped in history, being associated with the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788. From 1819 until 1902 it was used as a fortress; it was then converted into a tram depot, which remained until construction of the Opera House began in 1959.

When the government announced in 1955 that an international competition would be held to find a design for an opera house, worldwide interest was aroused. On 29 January 1957 the first prize was awarded to a Danish architect, Joern Utzon, who submitted his sketches without ever having visited Australia, basing his drawings on photographs of Sydney Harbour and the site. Almost immediately after construction began, doubts arose as to the feasibility of building the roof sections (or shells) as originally planned. After much controversy the system of constructing the roof was modified and in the process the shape of the roof slightly altered. In 1967 the last roof section was lowered into place.

Meanwhile, in 1965, a new government had come into office and early in 1966, following disagreement with government officials and engineers over methods of construction, Utzon resigned as architect. Some months later he was replaced by a panel of Sydney architects consisting of Peter Hall, David Littlemore and Lionel Todd. On the advice of the panel much of the interior of the building was redesigned, the major change being that the smaller hall was to become the Opera Theatre and the larger auditorium, to be known as the Concert Hall, would henceforth be the permanent home of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. This arrangement of the functions of the two main halls engendered further controversy among a public already dissatisfied over rising costs and concerned that the building would be used solely for operas and classical performances. However, it had always been intended that the Opera House would be available for all forms of entertainment. Thus, while full-scale productions of opera and ballet are held in the Opera Theatre, the Concert Hall is available for performances of every form of music—symphony concerts, chamber recitals, pop, jazz, and folk concerts, as well as solo performances. Besides the Concert Hall and the Opera Theatre, the complex houses a Drama Theatre, Music Room, Exhibition Hall, Recording Hall and two restaurants, as well as rehearsal rooms and a dining room for artists and staff.

The cost of constructing this unique building was astronomical. From an original estimate of $7 million, costs soared until the final figure was in excess of $100 million. This was financed mainly by profits from NSW State Lotteries; other sources of revenue were the government and public appeals. The Opera House is so highly regarded throughout the world that a picture of it as one of the world’s greatest engineering feats was included in a space probe, the contents of which were designed to portray the earth, its people and its technology to any would-be interceptor from another world.

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