Read
Articles and stories from the Sydney Opera House
Article
Pavements tells the truth by telling a bunch of lies
One of the more amusing twists in the career of Pavement, cult icons of the 90s, is the recent attempts to decode a band that have forged their career on being undecodable. Coming to fame amidst the grunge explosion, but drawing more on the art-rock surrealism of bands like The Fall than the metal and punk of their contemporaries, Pavement’s career has seen them reject coherence at every turn.
Art at the House
Restoring the Coburn Tapestries
John Coburn was at the height of his fame when the artist was pitched to architect Peter Hall to design the Sydney Opera House theatre curtains in 1969. Hall had taken over from Danish architect Jørn Utzon and was ushering the building towards completion.
The inside story of Olsen’s celebrated Opera House mural
The story went like this. It was a Saturday night. There was much jollity. They heard there was a party that night in Mosman, so they all went down to the ferry. Joe Lynch, the cartoonist, was with them. It had been a rainy day and Joe had two bottles of beer in each pocket of his overcoat. And so they all got on to the ferry and then, when they were near what is now the Opera House, a big liner passed by, the ferry jostled in the turbulence, and after a while someone said: ‘Where’s Joe?’ Joe had fallen overboard, anchored down by those bottles of beer. A true Australian death.
A Possum Story
Michael Jagamara was born into and revelled in a time of great change and opportunities. Following the end of World War II, abstract expressionism had arrived in the Australian art world and Sidney Nolan completed his Ned Kelly series. Also in that year, in the north part of Western Australia, in an amazingly unread, event, at least 800 Aboriginal pastoral workers walked off the job and began one of the longest industrial strikes in Australian history.
Cinema and Screen
You can now watch Underworld turn the Concert Hall into a rave cave
The electronic dance duo has owned the scene for decades. In the 90’s, they transitioned from synth-pop to techno, releasing influential albums dubnobasswithmyheadman, Second Toughest in the Infants and Beaucoup Fish. Their nostalgic track Born Slippy (Nuxx) featured in Trainspotting became an international smash hit. And in 2012, they even scored the London Olympics.
Ever wanted to watch a film and immediately grill the director?
You’re probably used to watching films without the director in the room. Any praises, thoughts, or questions you have are left shared with whoever you’re with at the time. But imagine if you could question the actual director about their film right after watching it? Well, at Sydney Film Festival this year, you can. We’re screening a wide selection of films as part of the festival, and some come paired with a special director Q&A. Check out the directors you could meet below.
Surfing at the Opera House: An Unexpected History
Discover the hidden origins of Cinema at the Opera House and its connection with countercultural surf films.
Classical Music
Evolving Traditions: Your Guide to Utzon Music 2025
Like humans, music takes many forms, shaped by different landscapes, languages, ways of living and listening. Through every age, music and musicians have been border-crossers: melodies, instruments, players and chord progressions migrating and morphing in constant search of new forms, new listeners. Beloved traditions become the inspiration for fresh compositions, as reinvention and rebirth give cultures ongoing vitality.
There’s Something in the Wata
Paul Grabowsky has spent two decades exploring ways to combine ‘Western’ musical tradition with the traditions of the world’s oldest-continuing culture. With Wata, which receives its Sydney premiere this July, he has arrived somewhere new, old, familiar and unique all at the same time.
Contemporary Music
For Arthur Jafa, Black art is the heart of America
“There’s an inherent, undeniable power of our music. And owning things is a big deal for us because we were owned.”
Comedy, Circus & Magic
Dance
Dancing to de-feet Parkinson’s
There’s still a lot that's unknown about Parkinson’s disease. But as research progresses, dance stands out as a form of exercise helping to control symptoms and giving strength to those living with the condition.
First Nations
Tubowgule
Ever since it was a place for ceremony, gathering and celebration in Aboriginal Australia, Tubowgule has always reflected the society tucked in around Sydney Cove.
Badu Gili’s Frances Belle Parker
Ten thousand pegs washed in plaster form the shape of an island across a gallery floor. On each peg, the words ‘Ulgundahi Island’ are handwritten then hidden. As time goes on, the plaster is designed to flake off and reveal the name of the island the artwork takes its form from.
Kids & Families
What the school holidays look like this summer: golden underpants, colourful sheep and a bike ride through imagination
Summer at the House is all about soaking up the sunshine, having a laugh and gold underpants. Yep. You heard that right. There’s plenty of joyful adventures this season. Bring the family, follow your imagination and let the holidays shine a little brighter by the water.
School kids write migrant family stories into song
Students from Lansvale Public tell history and humour with musician Luke Escombe
My Inspirational Teacher: Pasi Sahlberg
The Finnish educator and thought-leader on the teachers who inspired him to reshape the narrative around schooling.
Musical Theatre & Cabaret
The French songwriting duo who dared to dream a dream
Many twists of fate led to this mesmerising concert celebrating the enduring music of Les Misérables, Miss Saigon and more.
Opera
Love List: Great Opera Hits by Guy Noble
Know your Nessun Dormas from your Habaneras? Find out what makes a ‘great opera hit’ in this special playlist curated by conductor, composer and broadcaster Guy Noble.
Talks & Ideas
Theatre
John Bell in seven acts
To celebrate Bell Shakespeare’s 30th anniversary we highlight seven of the best John Bell moments on stage with the Bard.
