BBC: Opera House History, Background

[TLCOhio]

From the BBC three days ago, they had this headline: “Sydney Opera House: The monument that represents Australia” with this sub-headline: "In honour of its 50th anniversary, Sydney-based correspondent Nick Bryant explains how the building came to symbolise Australia, and why its original architect never saw it in person."

 

Here are some of his reporting highlights: “The Sydney Opera House recently commemorated its 50th anniversary. The iconic design is one associated with the Australian city the world over, along with the steel arch bridge, which spans the harbour. Considered a triumph of 20th Century architecture, it very nearly didn't get built in the international search to find a design.  This vision of modern beauty, with its famous curves covered in more than a million bright white ceramic tiles, was initially placed in the reject pile. But its journey to realisation says much about Australia today.”

 

Additionally, the author shared: "The country's most instantly recognisable building is a landmark to Australian ambiguity. The most obvious interpretation is that it represents Australia's rising post-war self-confidence. The appointment of Jørn Utzon, a little-known Danish architect without a major project to his name, was a sign of a less insular outlook and a new spirit of national assertiveness.  The opera house probably would never have been built had it not been financed by lottery money, reflecting the centrality of gambling in Australian life. "

 

Full story at:

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20231102-the-sydney-opera-house-the-monument-that-represents-australia

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 246,053 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1896175-solstice-live-australianzhawaii-many-pix’s-jan-20-feb-3/

[senorbanda]

Thank you for sharing Terry!  I hope to see it in 2025.