Sydney Opera House Celebrates 50 Years

The Sydney Opera House, an iconic building on Sydney Harbour, marks 50 years since its completion. Originally selected from a design contest, Danish architect Jørn Utzen's design faced numerous challenges, including budget overruns and delays. Construction began in 1959, but the building only opened in 1973, with costs escalating from $7 million to $102 million. Despite Utzen leaving the project, the Opera House is now a UNESCO Heritage site, hosting over 118,000 performances and attracting millions of visitors annually. It remains a symbol of architectural innovation and cultural significance.

What was the initial number of design entries submitted for the Sydney Opera House?

• 500

• 233

• 100

• 50

Who was the architect whose design was chosen for the Sydney Opera House?

• Zaha Hadid

• Jørn Utzen

• Le Corbusier

• Frank Lloyd Wright

In what year did the construction of the Sydney Opera House begin?

• 1963

• 1965

• 1970

• 1959

What was the final cost of the Sydney Opera House upon completion?

• $50 million

• $102 million

• $7 million

• $200 million

How many performances has the Sydney Opera House hosted since its opening?

• 75,000

• 118,000

• 200,000

• 50,000