The drama that halted the construction of the Sydney Opera House

One of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, and one of the world’s most famous buildings, The Sydney Opera House is the star of the Sydney Harbour.

Although the iconic spherical architecture is now world famous, the inception, planning and construction was riddled with controversy.

After a long 14 years of building conflict, the Sydney Opera House was finally brought to life, and on October 20, 1973, it was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II.

Competing to make history

In the 1940s, planning began for a new and exciting venue for large theatrical productions in Sydney, as Eugene Goossens of the NSW State Conservatorium of Music lobbied that the Sydney Town Hall wasn’t large enough.

By 1954, Goossens had gained the support of NSW Premier Joseph Cahill, and in 1956, Cahill had launched an international design competition where architects vied for the chance to design Sydney’s newest attraction.

Designers from Philadelphia put forth a design for an observatory-esque round structure with concave edges and a large natural courtyard, which was considered to be the "second place" design choice.

Coming in "third", a Dutch architectural duo proposed two adjoining rectangular structures with hexagonal roof ornaments.

Over 233 designs were initially considered for the state’s new opera house, but ultimately, Danish architect Jørn Utzon was announced as the winner of the competition 1957.

Utzon’s design, featuring ultra modernist concepts and curved, half conical shaped spires, was confirmed to be the new Sydney Opera House.

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Not without drama

In March 1959, construction on Utzon’s design began, but unfortunately it was not all smooth sailing.

The process slowed right down while approval was sought to construct Utzon’s radical designs.

Tensions also grew between Utzon and Minister for Public Works Davis Hughes, who attempted to sway public opinion of Utzon as an "impractical dreamer".

Hughes often clashed with Utzon over procurement costs and deadlines. And the tensions grew to a personal level.

By 1966, Hughes had withheld funding and payments towards Utzon, reportedly owing Utzon over $100,000.

Discussing this in an official meeting, minutes show that Utzon demanded that Hughes pay him what he was owed, saying “if you don’t do it, I resign.”

Hughes told him “I accept your resignation, thank you very much, goodbye.”

Utzon left the project in February of 1966 and left Australia, citing differences with Hughes as his motivator to leave the project.

After Utzon’s exit, Davis Hughes and a government architect named Ted Farmer organised a team to bring the Sydney Opera House to completion.

Construction was ultimately completed in 1973 - having cost $102 million (equivalent to $962 million in today's money).

Open for reconciliation

Wearing a blue silk dress and matching hat, Queen Elizabeth II made her way to the completed Opera House on this day in 1973, where she met Premier Bob Askin and Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.

Addressing a crowd of thousands, as well as a reported millions of viewers of the televised event, the Queen acknowledged the controversy surrounding the monument’s construction.

“The Sydney Opera House has captured the imagination of the world, though I understand that its construction has not been totally without problems,” she said.

“Controversy of the most extreme kind attended the building of the pyramids, yet they stand today — 4000 years later — acknowledged as one of the wonders of the world. So, I hope and believe it will be with the Sydney Opera House.”

The opening ceremony was finalised with fireworks and a performance from a grand marching band.

Utzon did not attend the opening ceremony.

A brighter future

Flashing forward to the 1990s, the Sydney Opera House Trust communicated with Utzon in an attempt to reconcile and secure his involvement in any future changes to the building.

Utzon accepted, and in 1999, he was appointed as a design consultant for future work, and a space inside the building called the ‘Utzon Room’ was developed.

Despite this, Utzon never returned to Australia to see the Opera House after leaving the country in 1966.

Nowadays, the Sydney Opera House is Australia’s number one tourist destination, with over 8.2 million visitors a year, presenting more than 2000 shows, 363 days a year.

Having hosted Pope John Paul II, Nelson Mandela and Oprah for speeches, and Iggy Pop and Lizzo for performances, the Sydney Opera House certainly lives up to its initial concept of being an exciting venue for large productions.

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