1973: Sydney Opera House Opens after a Long Journey
The famous white roofs are only one part of the story behind Sydney's performing arts centre.
Estimated CEFR reading level: B1. Connected past events and clearly explained ideas support the B1 estimate. This is an editorial estimate, not an official certification.
Five useful words
British English pronunciation (IPA). Audio uses an available English voice on your device.
harbour /ˈhɑːbə/
nounAn area of sheltered water where boats can stay.
The building stands beside the harbour.
architect /ˈɑːkɪtekt/
nounA person who designs buildings.
The architect entered a design competition.
sphere /sfɪə/
nounA completely round three-dimensional shape.
A ball is approximately a sphere.
dispute /dɪˈspjuːt/
nounA serious disagreement.
The team tried to resolve the dispute.
milestone /ˈmaɪlstəʊn/
nounAn important stage in a process.
The opening was a major milestone.
The story
On 20 October 1973, Queen Elizabeth II officially opened Sydney Opera House. Its white roof shapes rose above the harbour at Bennelong Point. The building became a home for performances, rather than simply a striking object to look at.
Danish architect Jørn Utzon had won the international design competition in 1957. Turning his idea into a working building required years of difficult design and construction. Engineers developed a way to form the curved roofs using sections of a sphere.
Utzon left the project in 1966 after a serious dispute. An Australian team led by architect Peter Hall completed the building. The opening therefore marked the work of many people, not one person working alone.
The ceremony was an important milestone, but some performances had already taken place before it. Today, the building's history offers a useful reminder: a famous opening date does not tell the whole story of how a cultural place begins.
A short timeline
- 1957
Utzon wins the international design competition.
- 1966
Utzon leaves; an Australian team continues the work.
- 20 October 1973
The official opening takes place.
Three questions
Try answering before you open the answer. You can use your own words.
- Who officially opened the Opera House, and when?
Show answer
Queen Elizabeth II, on 20 October 1973.
- Who completed the building after Utzon left?
Show answer
An Australian team led by architect Peter Hall.
- Why is the official opening not the start of every activity there?
Show answer
Some performances took place before the official opening.
Let's talk about it
A few ideas to chat about - pick any that interest you.
- Which building would you like to see in person?
- What do the Opera House roofs remind you of?
- Do you enjoy concerts, plays or other live performances?
- Is there a building in your town with an interesting history?
- What kind of performance would you choose for a visit to Sydney?
Practise a useful pattern
Use by the time with the past perfect to connect two past events.
Example: By the time the ceremony began, some performances had already taken place.
Frequently asked questions
When did Sydney Opera House officially open?
Queen Elizabeth II officially opened it on 20 October 1973, although performances had taken place before the ceremony.
Who designed Sydney Opera House?
Jørn Utzon won the design competition in 1957. After he left in 1966, an Australian team led by Peter Hall completed the building.
Sources and editorial notes
Original learning article by Poly-Puff, written from the factual sources below. Sources checked on 20 October 2026. The artwork and learning activities were created for this article.
Chosen for the 20 October anniversary. The official opening is distinguished from earlier performances. The account credits Utzon, Hall and the wider construction effort without suggesting that Utzon completed every part.
