The Sydney Opera House is kicking off a year of celebrations to mark 50 years since it opened. – Photo: Carola Frentzen/dpa
The Sydney Opera House is launching 12 months of events to celebrate its 50th birthday with more than 230 performances set to take place featuring local and international stars.
In addition to classical concerts, more contemporary acts are also planned, as well as indigenous artists like the Central Australia Aboriginal Women's Choir.
"There is no more iconic building in Australia," said Regional Arts Minister Ben Franklin, kicking off the start of celebrations on Wednesday.
The programme of events, which comprises both free and ticketed events, gets into full swing at the start of October when projections are to be cast onto the iconic sails of the architectural masterpiece at night.
Festivities will culminate in a grand finale concert in October 2023 - the month of the anniversary, according to Australian news agency AAP.
Along with the nearby Harbour Bridge, the opera house is considered one of the landmarks of the Australian city and was designed by Danish architect and Pritzker Architecture Prize winner Jørn Utzon (1918-2008).
After 14 years of construction work, the opera house was ceremoniously inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II on October 20, 1973. – dpa
