The
construction of the glass walls (Utzon
was planning to use a system of prefabricated
plywood mullions, and although eventually
a quite inventive system was created to
deal with the glass, it is different from
Utzon's design) Use of the halls (The
major hall which was originally to be
a multipurpose opera/concert hall, became
solely a concert hall. The minor hall,
originally for stage productions only,
had the added function of opera to deal
with. Two more theatres were also added.
This completely changed the layout of
the interiors, where the stage machinery,
already designed and fitted inside the
major hall, was pulled out and largely
thrown away) The interior designs: Utzon's
plywood corridor designs, and his acoustic
and seating designs for the interior of
both halls, were scrapped completely.
More importantly Utzon considered acoustics
from the start of design. These designs
were subsequently modelled and found to
be acoustically perfect. As such the current
internal organization is sub-optimal.
The
Opera House was formally completed in
1973, at a cost of $102 million. The original
cost estimate in 1957 was £3,500,000
($7 million). The original completion
date set by the government was January
26, 1963. Gold lettering on collectible
Sydney Opera House wineThe Opera House
was formally opened by Queen Elizabeth
II on October 20, 1973, which crowds of
millions attended. The opening was televised
and included fireworks and a performance
of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. Prior to
the opening, two performances had already
taken place in the finished building.
On September 28, 1973, a performance of
Sergei Prokofiev's War and Peace was played
at the Opera Theatre. On September 29,
the first public concert in the Concert
Hall took place. It was performed by the
Sydney Symphony Orchestra, conducted by
Charles Mackerras and with accompanying
singer Birgit Nilsson.
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